2026 U20 Women’s WCQ: Ivory Coast end Morocco’s dream despite late fightback

Morocco’s U20 women’s national team crashed out of the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers despite a dramatic late rally to draw 3-3 with Ivory Coast on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

The result confirmed the Atlas Lionesses’ elimination on a 6-4 aggregate score, allowing the Ivorians to continue their bid for a historic first-ever appearance at the tournament in Poland.

The Moroccans entered the return leg under heavy pressure after losing 3-1 away in Abidjan the previous week.

Although buoyed by home support, they struggled to find the urgency needed to overturn the deficit and were left chasing the match from the outset.

The visitors dealt Morocco a major blow just before the interval.

In the 41st minute, Nadège Nda Akissi converted from the penalty spot after Gharrou brought down Safi Ouedraogo in the area to make it 1-0.

Barely two minutes later, Moroccan captain Naini misjudged a clearance following an Ivorian goalkeeper’s long ball, allowing Ouedraogo to pounce and slot past El Jebraoui for 2-0.

Morocco tried to mount a response after the break.

In the 58th minute, Belkhair pulled one back from the spot after Bimanta Yabre fouled Djennah in the box, briefly lifting home hopes at 1-2.

Yet Ivory Coast reasserted control in the closing stages, with Ouedraogo completing her brace in the 85th minute by rounding the goalkeeper and rolling the ball into an empty net for 3-1.

Reduced to ten players, the Ivorians were suddenly pegged back in stoppage time.

Houmaid struck in the 90th+1 minute before Belkhair grabbed her second five minutes later to make it 3-3.

The late surge salvaged pride for Morocco but came too late to alter the aggregate outcome.

The draw mirrored Algeria’s exit to Senegal a day earlier, underlining the high stakes of the qualifying rounds.

While Morocco’s campaign ends here, Ivory Coast move on to the third qualifying round in February 2026, where they will face DR Congo, who advanced by walkover against Mali.

For Morocco, it is a setback after their historic debut at the 2024 U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

For Ivory Coast, however, the result represents another step closer to realising their dream of reaching the global stage for the first time.