Morocco set for tough U20 World Cup campaign in Chile

Morocco will launch its U20 World Cup campaign in Chile on Sunday, with the Atlas Lions drawn into a daunting Group C alongside Spain, Brazil and Mexico.

The tournament runs from 27 September to 19 October, with matches staged across several Chilean cities.

The opening challenge for Mohamed Ouahbi’s side comes against Spain on 28 September at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional, where the Moroccans will face a nation with a rich pedigree at this level, having made 15 previous appearances in the competition.

The schedule offers no respite. On 1 October, again in Santiago, Morocco will meet five-time winners Brazil, one of the most decorated sides in youth football.

The group stage concludes on 4 October in Valparaíso, where the Atlas Lions will take on Mexico at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander.

Morocco’s Group C fixtures

• Morocco v Spain, 28 September, Santiago, 22:00 (French time)
• Brazil v Morocco, 1–2 October, Santiago, 01:00
• Mexico v Morocco, 4 October, Valparaíso, 22:00

The draw has been widely described as a group of death, placing Morocco against three of the most consistent performers in the history of the competition.

Yet the squad arrives in Chile buoyed by a strong qualifying campaign that secured their place among the world’s best.

Morocco booked their ticket to the finals during the U20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where they progressed to the semi-finals before finishing runners-up.

Their qualification was sealed in dramatic fashion in the quarter-final against Sierra Leone, when Ilias Boumassaoudi scored a decisive goal in the 116th minute of extra time to secure a 1-0 victory.

Prior to that, the team topped their group, displaying defensive resilience and the ability to strike late under pressure.

المنتخب الوطني لأقل من 20 سنة يستعد للقاء إسبانيا

Our U20 National Team is preparing for the match against Spain#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/38aksjjZVQ

— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) September 24, 2025

That fighting spirit will be essential in Chile if the Atlas Lions are to progress from such a formidable group.

This tournament marks Morocco’s fourth appearance at the U20 World Cup finals.

Their most memorable campaign came in 2005, when they finished in fourth place after an impressive run.

Earlier outings were less successful: they exited in the round of 16 in 1997, and at the inaugural edition in Tunisia in 1977, they failed to advance beyond the group stage.

As the Atlas Lions prepare to open their account against Spain, expectations remain cautious yet hopeful.

The players will be eager to draw on their recent continental experience and demonstrate they can compete on the global stage.

Morocco’s ranking and position in Group C will begin to take shape after Sunday’s final whistle, but their journey in Chile promises to be a stern test of resilience, discipline and ambition.