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Morocco national under-17 football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Morocco women's national under-17 football team.
Morocco U-17
Nickname(s)Atlas Lions
أُسُود الأطلس
ⵜⴰⵔⴰⴱⴱⵓⵓⵜ ⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Head coachPortugal Tiago Lima Pereira
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Tunisia 0–2 Morocco 
(Tunisia; 2 July 1988)
Biggest win
 Morocco 16–0 New Caledonia 
(Qatar; 9 November 2025)
Biggest defeat
 Portugal 6–0 Morocco 
(Qatar; 6 November 2025)
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2013)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2023, 2025)
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 2013)
Best result Champions (2025)
Arab Cup U-17
Appearances3 (first in 2011)
Best resultRunners-Up (2022)
Medal record
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Gold medal – first place 2025 Morocco
Silver medal – second place 2023 Algeria
Arab Cup U-17
Silver medal – second place 2022 Algeria
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Tunisia

The Morocco national under-17 football team represents Morocco in international under-17 football competitions and is governed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The team competes in the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, Arab Cup U-17 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

History

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On 8 September 2022, Morocco lost the 2022 Arab Cup, after losing in penalties to Algeria.[1]

In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco had a successful run, securing a spot in the knockout stages by finishing atop their group. They demonstrated their prowess by winning two matches and suffering a single defeat.[2][3][4] In the subsequent match against Algeria, the Moroccan team emerged triumphant with a remarkable 3-0 victory, solidifying their qualification for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[5][6] Moving on to the semi-finals, they faced off against Mali in an intense battle that ended with a nail-biting 6-5 victory for Morocco on penalties, thanks to a heroic save by goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil.[7][8] Ultimately, Morocco finished the tournament in second place after a closely contested final, ending with a 2-1 loss.[9][10] However, their commendable conduct throughout the competition earned them the fair play award, a testament to their sportsmanship.[11]

In the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Morocco qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning two matches and losing one.[12][13] In the Round of 16, they defeated Iran on penalties.[14] They were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Mali 1-0, a remeet after the 2023 AFCON U-17 took place in Algeria.[15]

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco qualified to the knockout stages after finishing top in the group stages winning two matches and drawing one.[16] They defeated South Africa 3-1 in the Round of 16.[17] In the Semi-final, Morocco drew 0-0 with Ivory Coast and secured victory through a penalty shootout.[18] In the Final, Morocco defeated Mali in penalties to claim their first ever continental title.[19]

In November 2025, Morocco achieved the largest winning margin ever recorded in an 11-a-side FIFA World Cup match, defeating New Caledonia 16–0 at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The result established a new FIFA tournament record for the highest score in any World Cup age category.[20]

Tournament records

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CAF U-16 and U-17 World Cup Qualifiers record

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CAF U-16 and U-17 World Cup Qualifiers
Appearances: 1 / 5
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1985 did not participate
1987
1989 Second Round 4 2 1 1 3 2
1991 Disqualified
1993 did not participate
Total 1/5 Second Round 4 2 1 1 3 2

FIFA U-17 World Cup

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Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
China 1985 did not participate
Canada 1987
Scotland 1989 did not qualify
Italy 1991 Disqualified
Japan 1993 did not participate
Ecuador 1995 did not qualify
Egypt 1997
New Zealand 1999
Trinidad and Tobago 2001
Finland 2003
Peru 2005
South Korea 2007
Nigeria 2009 did not enter
Mexico 2011 did not qualify
United Arab Emirates 2013 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 8 5
Chile 2015 did not qualify
India 2017
Brazil 2019
Indonesia 2023 Quarter-finals 7th 5 2 1 2 6 5
Qatar 2025 Quarter-finals TBD 6 2 1 3 21 13
Qatar 2026 Qualified TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0
Qatar 2027 TBD
Qatar 2028
Qatar 2029
Total Quarter-finals 4/20 15 6 3 6 35 23

U-17 Africa Cup of Nations record

[edit]
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Mali 1995 did not qualify
Botswana 1997
Guinea 1999
Seychelles 2001
Eswatini 2003
The Gambia 2005
Togo 2007
Algeria 2009 did not enter
Rwanda 2011 did not qualify
Morocco 2013 Fourth Place 4th 5 2 2 1 10 5
Niger 2015 did not qualify
Gabon 2017
Tanzania 2019 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 4
Morocco 2021 Cancelled
Algeria 2023 Runners-up 2nd 6 3 1 2 8 5
Morocco 2025 Champions 1st 6 3 3 0 11 1
Morocco 2026 To be determined
Total Champions 4/14 20 8 7 5 31 15

Arab Cup U-17 record

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Arab Cup U-17
Appearances: 2 / 3
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Saudi Arabia 2011 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 3
Tunisia 2012 Third Place 3rd 4 2 1 1 4 2
Qatar 2014 did not participate
Morocco 2021 Cancelled
Algeria 2022 Runners-Up 2nd 6 4 1 1 7 3
Libya 2026 To be determined
Iraq 2027
Egypt 2028
Iraq 2029
Total 3/3 Third Place 13 7 3 3 14 7

UNAF U-17 Tournament record

[edit]
UNAF U-17 Tournament
Appearances: 11 / 13
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Algeria 2006 Did not participate
Morocco 2007 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 5 1
Tunisia 2008 Third Place 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 5
Algeria 2008 Fifth Place 5th 4 1 1 2 3 4
Tunisia 2009 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 3 3
Morocco 2009 Third Place 3rd 2 0 2 0 1 1
Tunisia 2010 Fourth Place 4th 3 0 1 2 1 5
Morocco 2011 Champions 1st 2 1 1 0 2 0
Tunisia 2012 Did not participate
Morocco 2012 Third Place 3rd 2 1 0 1 1 1
Morocco 2014 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 3 4
Morocco 2015 Third Place 3rd 2 0 1 1 2 4
Morocco 2016 Fifth Place 5th 3 1 1 1 7 5
Morocco 2017 Fourth Place 4th 3 0 1 2 4 5
Tunisia 2018 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 7 2
Morocco 2018 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 1 0 11 2
Algeria 2021 Withdrew
Algeria 2022 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 4 1
Algeria 2022 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 5 1
Algeria 2024 Third Place 3rd 4 1 2 1 5 6
Morocco 2024 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 10 4
Libya 2026 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 10 2
Total 5 Titles 19/22 57 26 16 15 87 56
  • Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Current squad

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The following players were called up to the squad for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations to be played between 13 May and 2 June 2026.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1GK Mohamed Harouch Royal Moroccan Football Federation Mohamed VI
1GK Adam El Maach (2009-03-16) 16 March 2009 (age 17) Royal Dutch Football Association Helmond Sport
1GK Rayan Yaakoubi (2009-04-29) 29 April 2009 (age 17) Royal Belgian Football Association Gent
2DF Ayman Ezzarky Royal Moroccan Football Federation Mohamed VI
2DF Adam Ellaky (2009-01-09) 9 January 2009 (age 17) Royal Moroccan Football Federation Wydad AC
2DF Marouane Bentaleb (2009-05-16) 16 May 2009 (age 17) Royal Dutch Football Association Ajax
2DF Mehdi Amehmoul (2009-04-04) 4 April 2009 (age 17) Royal Moroccan Football Federation Raja CA
2DF Adam Soudi (2009-03-18) 18 March 2009 (age 17) French Football Federation Toulouse
2DF Mohamed Habib Zinbi (2009-11-17) 17 November 2009 (age 16) Royal Belgian Football Association Anderlecht
2DF Wael Jolissaint (2009-12-17) 17 December 2009 (age 16) Swiss Football Association Bejune
2DF Hamza Chllali (2009-05-07) 7 May 2009 (age 17) Royal Moroccan Football Federation FUS Rabat
2DF Ayman Tahri Royal Moroccan Football Federation RS Berkane
2DF Adam Alioui (2009-06-26) 26 June 2009 (age 16) French Football Federation Lyon
3MF Luis Velilles (2009-04-28) 28 April 2009 (age 17) Royal Spanish Football Federation Alavés
3MF Ibrahim Faik (2009-05-22) 22 May 2009 (age 17) Royal Dutch Football Association Feyenoord
3MF Ilian Hadidi (2009-03-06) 6 March 2009 (age 17) Royal Belgian Football Association Standard Liège
3MF Oualid Ibn Salah (2009-11-05) 5 November 2009 (age 16) Royal Moroccan Football Federation Mohamed VI
3MF Imran Talai (2009-02-03) 3 February 2009 (age 17) Royal Dutch Football Association Ajax
3MF Yahya Saidi (2009-06-19) 19 June 2009 (age 16) Royal Moroccan Football Federation FUS Rabat
4FW Ismail El Aoud (2009-07-01) 1 July 2009 (age 16) Royal Spanish Football Federation Valencia
4FW Adam Boughazir (2009-09-27) 27 September 2009 (age 16) Royal Moroccan Football Federation Mohamed VI
4FW Ibrahim Rabbaj (2009-01-03) 3 January 2009 (age 17) The Football Association Chelsea
4FW Rayan Khadraoui (2009-01-28) 28 January 2009 (age 17) German Football Association Mönchengladbach
4FW Rami Lougmani (2009-05-25) 25 May 2009 (age 17) Royal Belgian Football Association Anderlecht
4FW Adnan El Boujjoufi (2009-07-23) 23 July 2009 (age 16) Royal Dutch Football Association Go Ahead Eagles
4FW Mohamed Amine Moustache (2009-01-25) 25 January 2009 (age 17) Royal Belgian Football Association OH Leuven

Honours

[edit]

International

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Quarter-finals: 2023, 2025

Continental

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Winners (1): 2025
Runners-up (1): 2023

Regional

[edit]
Runners-up (1): 2022
Third Place (1): 2012
Winners (5): 2007, 2011, 2018, 2022, 2026
Runners-up (3): 2009, 2014, 2018
Third Place (4): 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015


Previous squads

[edit]

Head-to-head record

[edit]

The following table shows Morocco's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Croatia 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
 Ecuador 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
 Indonesia 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
 Iran 1 0 1 0 1 1 +0 000.00
 Ivory Coast 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 000.00
 Japan 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
 Mali 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 000.00
 New Caledonia 1 1 0 0 16 0 +16 100.00
 Panama 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 100.00
 Portugal 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 000.00
 Uzbekistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 +0 000.00
Total 12 5 2 5 30 18 +12 041.67

References

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  1. ^ "Morocco's U17 national team misses Arab Cup title, losing to Algeria". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2022-09-08. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  2. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Morocco edge Nigeria to make quarters | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  3. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Second half resurgence lifts Morocco over South Africa | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Zambia down Morocco in Annaba but exit | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  5. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco stun Algeria in Constantine, earn U17 World Cup slot | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  6. ^ "Morocco U-17 team qualifies for World Cup with 3-0 win over Algeria". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  7. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Benrhozil heroics send Morocco to Totalenergies U17 AFCON final | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  8. ^ "Morocco's U-17 football team reaches African Cup final in thrilling penalty shootout against Mali". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  9. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Sawane scores winner as Senegal clinch TotalEnergies U17 AFCON title | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  10. ^ "Morocco's under 17 Team loses to Senegal in the final of the African Cup of Nations". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  11. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Burkina Faso's Alio named TotalEnergies U17 AFCON MVP | TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  12. ^ "Morocco qualified for U-17 World Cup final 16". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  13. ^ "Barry scores brace as Mali beat Mexico 5-0 to reach U17 World Cup quarter-final". sportsbrief.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  14. ^ "Morocco qualified for U-17 World Cup final 16". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  15. ^ "Morocco's U17 eliminated from World Cup". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  16. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-06). "Morocco tops Tanzania 3-0 to reach U17 Africa Cup quarterfinals, clinches World Cup spot". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  17. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-10). "Morocco U-17 Advances to Africa Cup Semi-Finals After 3-1 Victory Over South Africa". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  18. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-15). "Morocco U-17 book spot in AFCON final after penalty win over Côte d'Ivoire". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  19. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2025-04-19). "Morocco clinches historic U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  20. ^ "16-goal Morocco make history". FIFA. 2025-11-09. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
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