The Mohammed VI Football Academy continues to prove why it has become one of the driving forces behind the rise of Moroccan football. At the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), 4 academy graduates are playing important roles for Morocco’s U17 national team. Once again, the success of the country’s long-term investment in youth development is showing.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Harouche, defensive midfielder Aymane Ezzarki, left-back Adam Boughazir and right-back Oualid Ibn Salah have all been as important players of the Atlas Cubs squad during the tournament. Their performances helped Morocco finish top of Group A during the group stage matches held in Rabat and Salé, securing qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Over the last decade, the Mohammed VI Football Academy has become one of the foundations of Morocco’s football revival, consistently producing players capable of competing at the highest level. Several former academy players have already contributed to some of the country’s biggest football achievements, including Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the U23 AFCON title in 2023 and the historic 2025 U20 World Cup title.
What makes the academy stand out is its broader vision. From the beginning, the project was designed to develop footballers and also to help young players grow academically and personally. Inspired by the vision of King Mohammed VI, the academy combines elite-level football training with education, creating an environment where players can build both their careers and their future outside the game.
The academy’s scouting network stretches across Morocco, identifying promising young talent from different regions of the country. Once selected, players benefit from modern facilities, professional coaching, medical support and educational guidance modeled on some of the best football academies in the world.
Since its inauguration in 2009, the Mohammed VI Football Academy has steadily become a symbol of Morocco’s long-term football strategy. Today, the Mohammed VI Football Complex serves as a central hub for Moroccan football, hosting national teams, training camps and major continental competitions.
Morocco’s recent success on the international stage syimple proves the impact of that vision. The current U17 generation is the latest example of how Morocco’s football project continues to move forward.
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