Morocco’s U20 Squad Crowned Africa’s Men’s National Team of the Year After Historic World Cup Victory
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s U20 national football team has been crowned Africa’s Men’s National Team of the Year, capping an extraordinary 2025 marked by their historic victory at the FIFA U20 World Cup — the first-ever triumph by an African team in the tournament’s history.
The young Atlas Lions claimed the continental honour after outperforming strong competition from Morocco’s senior national team and Cape Verde. The award recognises their landmark achievement in Chile earlier this year, where they delivered a commanding campaign that captured the attention of football fans across Africa and the world.
The team’s historic success has been widely hailed as a testament to Morocco’s sustained investment in youth training, talent development and modern football infrastructure. Analysts and officials alike credit the nation’s long-term strategy for nurturing young talent with laying the groundwork for this unprecedented accomplishment.
The recognition holds added significance considering Morocco’s senior team has enjoyed tremendous success on the global stage in recent years — most notably reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a first for any African or Arab nation.
The latest accolade further solidifies Morocco’s rising status as a continental football powerhouse. Beyond the immediate prestige, the breakthrough by the U20 squad signals a promising future for Moroccan football, with many of the young world champions expected to transition into key roles within the senior national team in the years to come.
The achievement marks a defining moment for the country’s sporting ambitions and reinforces Morocco’s growing reputation as a leader in African football.
