Rabat – Mayssa Baha will not feature for Morocco at the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on home soil after Barcelona opted to retain the teenage forward, according to national team coach Younes Rabie.
Rabie explained that Baha had been part of the wider group considered for the tournament, but Barcelona did not release her because of the club’s current first-team needs.
The coach said injuries within the Catalan squad played a role in the decision and added that Morocco’s technical staff understood the club’s decision.
The 15-year-old started the season on the fringes of the senior side before making her official first-team debut against Tenerife on August 30. She has since made four Liga F appearances and earned her first league start against Logrono United on September 26. Baha scored in the 2-0 victory and became the youngest goalscorer in Liga F history at 15 years, eight months and 10 days.
Read also: Morocco’s Mayssa Baha Makes Barcelona History at 15
The league also recognized her as the youngest player to score for Barcelona’s senior side across both the men’s and women’s teams.
Barcelona’s recent selection decisions also illustrate why the youngster has remained close to the first team. Baha was included among Pere Romeu’s attacking options for last weekend’s Clasico against Real Madrid, while Vicky Lopez missed the match through injury.
Baha had been expected to play a prominent role for Morocco after emerging as one of the Lioncelles’ key performers at the 2025 World Cup.
Rabie also confirmed other changes to his plans ahead of this year’s competition. Chaimae Boughazi is unavailable because of an injury suffered with her club after the Mediterranean Games, while goalkeeper Manal Dupont is also absent. Nessma Mouradi is expected to join the squad on October 12 after completing club duty with Paris FC.
Morocco are now putting the final touches on their preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. The team will face Chile in a closed-door friendly on October 9 before meeting Canada two days later.
The hosts begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 17 before facing Germany three days later and Argentina on October 23. Morocco were drawn into Group A, with all three of their group matches scheduled for the Women’s Football Complex
Baha’s absence leaves Morocco without one of their most recognizable attacking talents, but it also shows how drastically her club status has changed since last year’s World Cup.
