Morocco U17 World Cup: Historic Host Nation and Rising Football Power

Morocco has emerged as a dominant force in youth football, making history as the first African nation to host the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2025. From October 17 to November 8, 2025, Morocco showcases its world-class facilities and passion for football by hosting 24 teams competing for global glory. This landmark achievement represents not just one tournament, but the beginning of an unprecedented five-year hosting commitment that will see Morocco welcome the world's best young female footballers through 2029.

The U17 tournaments have become a crucial platform for developing future football stars, and Morocco's investment in youth development—both for men's and women's teams—demonstrates the nation's ambition to become a continental powerhouse in international football.

Morocco's Historic U17 World Cup Hosting Rights

On March 14, 2024, the FIFA Council made a groundbreaking decision in Zürich, Switzerland, awarding Morocco the exclusive rights to host five consecutive FIFA U-17 Women's World Cups from 2025 to 2029. This historic announcement marked several significant milestones:

• First African host: Morocco became the first nation on the African continent to host the U17 Women's World Cup
• Second Arab nation: Following Jordan's 2016 hosting, Morocco became only the second Arab country to welcome this prestigious tournament
• Expanded format: The 2025 edition is the first to feature 24 teams, up from 16 in previous tournaments
• Annual tournament: FIFA changed the tournament frequency from biannual to annual, making it a yearly celebration of women's youth football

This five-year commitment reflects FIFA's confidence in Morocco's infrastructure, organizational capabilities, and dedication to developing women's football across Africa and the Arab world.

Morocco U17 Women's National Team Performance

As host nation, Morocco's U17 women's team earned automatic qualification for the tournament, marking their second appearance at this level. The Atlas Lionesses made their debut at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India, where they gained valuable experience competing on the global stage.

Group Stage Draw and Challenging Competition

In the official draw held on June 4, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco was placed in Group A alongside three formidable opponents:

• Brazil - Eight-time participants with consistent quarter-final appearances
• Italy - Returning after 12 years, third-place finishers in 2014
• Costa Rica - Making their first World Cup appearance since 2014

Coach Anwar Mghinia assembled a talented 21-player squad featuring the best young female footballers from across Morocco, blending technical skill with tactical discipline to compete against the world's elite youth teams.

Morocco U17 Men's Team: Building on Recent Success

While the women's team hosts the 2025 tournament, Morocco's U17 men's national team has also made significant strides in international competition. Led by head coach Nabil Baha, the team has consistently qualified for major tournaments and demonstrated the depth of Morocco's youth development programs.

Recent U17 Men's Tournament Highlights

Morocco's U17 men's team competed in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, where they showcased impressive performances:

• Qualified for the knockout stages after finishing top in their group
• Defeated Indonesia 3-1 to secure passage to the Round of 16
• Advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Iran on penalties
• Reached the quarter-finals against Mali before being eliminated

These achievements demonstrate that Morocco's investment in youth football infrastructure is producing tangible results across both men's and women's programs, creating a sustainable pipeline of talent for the senior national teams.

World-Class Venues and Infrastructure

The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup takes place in the Rabat-Salé metropolitan area, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities that meet FIFA's highest standards:

Tournament Venues

• Olympic Stadium Annex Sports Complex Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat) - Capacity: 21,000 spectators, hosting the majority of matches including the opening ceremony
• Mohammed VI Football Academy (Salé) - FIFA's premier development facility in Africa, featuring three professional-grade pitches and world-class training amenities

These venues provide exceptional playing conditions, comfortable spectator experiences, and broadcast facilities that bring the tournament to millions of viewers worldwide. Morocco's commitment to infrastructure extends beyond these stadiums, with investments in transportation, accommodation, and fan zones that create a memorable experience for players, officials, and supporters.

The Future of Moroccan Football

Morocco's success in hosting the U17 Women's World Cup from 2025-2029 is part of a broader strategy to establish the nation as a global football destination. The country has already secured hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup (co-hosted with Spain and Portugal) and continues to invest heavily in grassroots development programs.

The U17 tournaments serve as critical testing grounds for young talent, with many players going on to represent their countries at senior World Cups and Olympic Games. For Morocco, these tournaments provide invaluable experience for coaches, administrators, and players while inspiring the next generation of Moroccan footballers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Morocco U17 World Cup

When is Morocco hosting the U17 Women's World Cup?

Morocco is hosting the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup from October 17 to November 8, 2025, and will continue hosting annually through 2029.

How many teams are competing in the 2025 U17 Women's World Cup?

The 2025 edition features 24 teams for the first time, expanded from the previous format of 16 teams. This includes five teams from Africa (including host Morocco), five from Europe, four each from Asia, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL, plus two from Oceania.

Has Morocco qualified for the U17 Men's World Cup?

Yes, Morocco's U17 men's team has qualified for multiple FIFA U-17 World Cup tournaments. Most recently, they reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament in Indonesia, defeating teams like Indonesia and Iran along the way.

Where can I watch Morocco U17 World Cup matches?

FIFA broadcasts U17 World Cup matches through official partners and streaming platforms. In Morocco, matches are available through local broadcasters, while international audiences can watch via FIFA+, the organization's official streaming platform, and regional sports networks.

Who are the defending champions of the U17 Women's World Cup?

North Korea (Korea DPR) are the defending champions, having won their record third title at the 2024 tournament in the Dominican Republic. They are competing in Morocco 2025 to defend their crown.

What is Morocco's best result at U17 level?

Morocco's U17 men's team finished as runners-up at the 2022 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. The women's team is building experience after making their World Cup debut in 2022 and now competing as hosts in 2025.

Share This Historic Football Story

Celebrate Morocco's football revolution! Share this article with fans of youth football and help spread awareness about Morocco's historic role in developing the next generation of global football stars. Whether you're following the U17 Women's World Cup or tracking Morocco's rising men's and women's teams, this is a story worth sharing across all your social media platforms!