Rabat – Morocco’s national under-15 football team will participate in the 2026 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, with five matches scheduled between October 24 and 26.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced the team’s participation on Saturday, October 17, confirming the match schedule and the 14 players selected to represent Morocco in the competition.
According to the federation, the young Atlas Lions will begin their campaign against the Philippines on Saturday, October 24, at 5 a.m. Moroccan time.
Morocco will then play two matches on Sunday, October 25, starting with Costa Rica at 10:30 a.m., followed by a second encounter against Belize at 4:45 p.m.
The team will conclude its opening-phase fixtures on Monday, October 26, facing Curaçao at 10:30 a.m. before taking on Liberia at 4:45 p.m.
The five matches will determine Morocco’s progression in the competition, with the next phase scheduled to take place between October 28 and 30. The fixtures for that stage will be announced based on the results of the opening round.
Morocco announces 14-player squad
Head coach Karim Meftal has selected 14 players for the tournament, drawing from several Moroccan football academies and clubs.
The Mohammed VI Football Academy has the largest representation in the squad, with six players selected. The Federal Training Center in Benguerir follows with five players, while FUS Rabat, AS FAR, and Renaissance Berkane each contribute one player.
The squad includes Adam Mimouni, Mohammed El Abbassi, Safouane Blamine, Said Diaji, Baraa Jarrari, and Imran El Mabrouki from the Mohammed VI Football Academy.
The Federal Training Center in Benguerir will be represented by Ayoub Draa, Yahya El Ouizi, Nizar Bouhaddou, Mohammed Ajana, and Said Noufi.
Mohammed Fahd El Assas from FUS Rabat, Mohammed Amine Rezzakoui from AS FAR, and Ziad Abboud from Renaissance Berkane complete the 14-player selection.
Morocco continues investing in youth football
Morocco’s participation in the tournament comes amid the country’s continued efforts to strengthen youth football and develop emerging talent through specialized training programs.
The Mohammed VI Football Academy, established in 2009, has become one of the country’s leading football development institutions, producing several players who have progressed to professional football and national team representation.
The Federal Training Center in Benguerir also contributes to Morocco’s youth development system, providing young players with structured training and opportunities to progress through the national football ranks.
The selection of players from these institutions reflects the role of Morocco’s football development infrastructure in preparing young athletes for international competitions.
The tournament in Azerbaijan will provide the under-15 squad with an opportunity to gain international experience against teams from different regions, including Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
For coach Karim Meftal and his players, the immediate objective will be to achieve positive results in the opening phase and secure a favorable position for the next stage of the competition, scheduled for October 28–30.
