Morocco’s U17 coach Nabil Baha has warned that the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will pose a completely different challenge from the U20 tournament.
His team faces a tough group that includes Portugal, Japan, and New Caledonia, testing Morocco’s growing football ambitions on the global stage.
Baha’s young squad aims to maintain the momentum sparked by the U20 team’s historic triumph in Chile.
However, the coach reminded fans that expectations must remain realistic. “The U17 World Cup is completely different from the U20 World Cup.
There are 48 teams, and all of them will play with their main players. The competition will be tough, but we will give everything to go far.
We have the means to do it,” said Baha, stressing the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
The former Moroccan international wants his side to stay focused despite rising national excitement.
He knows this edition’s intensity and quality will demand absolute concentration and tactical discipline from every player.
Unlike the U20 tournament, where many clubs refused to release key players, the U17 World Cup brings together each nation’s strongest lineup.
At the U20 level, teams such as France, Brazil, and England featured reshuffled squads. This time, the tournament’s full-strength nature will make every match harder and more unpredictable.
The expanded 48-team format further raises the bar. It doubles the number of matches and introduces more diverse styles of play.
The demanding schedule and frequent travel will test the young Lions’ physical endurance and mental strength.
Africa has long found success at this level. Nigeria leads the continent with five U17 world titles, while Ghana lifted the trophy twice in 1991 and 1995.
The tournament has consistently served as a stage for emerging African stars such as Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, who both triumphed in 2015.
Morocco now hopes to write its own chapter in that legacy. The team’s preparation reflects both ambition and caution.
Baha’s players are inspired by the national federation’s strong leadership and the belief that Moroccan youth football can compete with the world’s best.
However, the coach insists on a balanced mindset. Confidence alone, he says, will not be enough to navigate a group filled with technically gifted opponents.
The focus must remain on teamwork, discipline, and executing game plans with precision.
President Fouzi Lekjaa’s recent address to the squad emphasized resilience and national pride.
His message resonated deeply with the players, who now aim to mirror the U20 team’s spirit in Chile while forging their own identity in Qatar.
With the nation’s hopes high and the challenge immense, Morocco’s U17 side prepares to embrace a demanding but inspiring journey.
Their determination, discipline, and unity will define whether they can turn promise into progress on football’s biggest youth stage.
🗣️ Nabil Baha : « La Coupe du Monde U17 est complètement différente de celle des U20. Il y a 48 équipes, et toutes jouent avec leurs titulaires..
La compétition 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗘 mais on fera tout pour aller loin.
On a les moyens pour le faire. 🇲🇦🏆» pic.twitter.com/NcuDAyuC7W
— FRMF Xtra (@FRMFXtra) October 20, 2025
