Morocco wrote its name in the history of world football by winning the U20 World Cup last night against Argentina (2-0) in Santiago, Chile. This historic triumph, the first world title in the history of Moroccan football in all categories, however, does not guarantee any automatic qualification for future competitions, contrary to what one might imagine.​
No automatic qualification for 2027
The rule is clear: the reigning champion of the U20 World Cup does not benefit from any automatic qualification for the following edition. Morocco will therefore have to go through the continental qualifiers to try to qualify for the 2027 U20 World Cup, which will be held in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. This particularity of the tournament differs in particular from the old rule of the Senior World Cup, where until 1998, the title holder was automatically qualified.​
For the next edition, Morocco will first have to win at the next U20 African Cup of Nations (U20 CAN), which will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. A classic qualifying route which promises to be demanding, even for the reigning world champion.​
Prestigious individual awards
If the world title does not offer a privilege for the future, it allowed the Atlas Lions to win the majority of individual distinctions in the tournament. Othmane Maamma won the tournament's Ballon d'Or, joining a prestigious list including Diego Maradona (1979), Lionel Messi (2005), Sergio AgĂĽero (2007) and Paul Pogba (2013). His teammate Yassir Zabiri, who scored twice in the final, won the Silver Ball and finished top scorer of the tournament with five goals.
These exceptional performances are expected to significantly increase the market value of Moroccan players, attracting the attention of Europe's biggest clubs. Maamma, currently at Watford, and Zabiri, who plays for FC Famalicão, could benefit from lucrative transfers in the coming months.​
The Maamma-Zabiri duo offers Morocco its first world title
Sporting influence and royal recognition
Morocco's real reward lies in the international influence that this title brings to the youth development program of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The country becomes the first Arab nation and the second African nation after Ghana (2009) to win this trophy.​
King Mohammed VI immediately congratulated the team, hailing an accomplishment which “fills the entire Moroccan people with happiness”. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi also paid tribute to the monarch: “I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for allowing us to live this dream.”​
An investment in the future of Moroccan football
Beyond the honors, this world title reinforces the credibility of the Moroccan training model on the international scene. The Atlas Cubs' journey – victorious against Spain, Brazil, South Korea, the United States and France before dominating Argentina in the final – confirms the spectacular rise of Moroccan football since the A team's 2022 World Cup semi-final.​
This dynamic is part of a global strategy of the kingdom which is increasing cutting-edge infrastructure and aiming to organize the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The U20 title thus becomes an exceptional showcase for the development of Moroccan football, even if the road to defending the title in 2027 will require going through all the qualifying stages again.​
Morocco has certainly won a world trophy, but the greatest reward remains international recognition, the inspiration of a generation and the confirmation that the kingdom is now establishing itself as a rising power in world football.
