King Mohammed VI’s football roadmap reason behind U-20 World Cup success – Fouzi Lekjaa

Fouzi Lekjaa, head of Morocco’s football federation, said the U20 World Cup win was the result of King Mohammed VI’s broad plan to improve football.

The Atlas Lions stunned six-time champions Argentina with a 2-0 victory on Sunday night, becoming only the second African nation to lift the prestigious trophy after Ghana won it 2009.

“Congratulations to the Moroccan people, and to the Arab and African nations for this global victory. But above all, we dedicate this trophy to the first sportsman of the nation, His Majesty the King—may God protect him,” Lekjaa said after the game.

He attributed Morocco’s success to the King’s “strategic and holistic vision,” first outlined during the landmark Skhirat Symposium, which laid the foundation for reforming and modernizing Moroccan sport.

“Thanks to His Majesty’s strategic and holistic vision since the Skhirat Symposium, where he defined the foundations and roadmap for developing sports in general and football in particular, achievements have continued across various areas, following an inclusive approach, especially in training.”

He highlighted the Mohammed VI Football Academy as a central pillar of that vision, describing it as a “factory of champions” that continues to produce elite players for the national teams.

“The starting point was the Mohammed VI Academy, which now produces champions year after year, whether those who played in Qatar or the heroes who just won the World Cup. The academy continues to embody this comprehensive vision through ongoing achievements in training and coaching development.”

Lekjaa also praised national U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi, one of several Moroccan coaches shaped within the domestic football system.

“Today, we’re winning titles thanks to Moroccan coaches like national team manager Mohamed Ouahbi, who was trained and shaped within Morocco’s football system. This proves that His Majesty’s vision for sports development is truly holistic and far-reaching.”

The Mohammed VI Football Academy played a key role in producing top talent, many of whom featured in this tournament.