Atlas Cubs Roar: Morocco Clinches Maiden U-20 Crown

Morocco makes history by defeating Argentina 2-0 to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup, becoming the first Arab and second African nation to claim the title, signaling a new era for youth football development across Africa (image source)

Harare — Morocco etched its name in football history on October 19 when the Atlas Cubs stunned six-time champions Argentina 2-0 to claim the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Santiago, Chile. By lifting the trophy, Morocco became the first Arab nation ever to win the U-20 tournament, and only the second African side to do so since Ghana’s triumph in 2009. Yassir Zabiri struck twice in the first half, curling a free kick into the top corner in the 12th minute and converting a close-range effort 17 minutes later to break Argentina’s resistance and send Moroccan fans into raptures.

Morocco’s road to glory was paved with impressive victories over South Korea, the United States and France in the knockout stages, after topping a group that included Spain, Brazil and Mexico. The victory resonated across Morocco, where thousands of supporters gathered in Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium screen room, singing the national anthem and waving green flags late into the night.

In Harare, a crowd of Moroccan students and local football enthusiasts packed a sports bar near Samora Machel Avenue. “We lived every tackle, every pass,” said Hanane El Atta, a student at the University of Zimbabwe. “When Zabiri scored, the room exploded.” Sports sociologist Dr. Phillip Macha of the University of Zimbabwe believes the win signals a shift in youth development across Africa. “Morocco’s investment in technical academies and exposure in European leagues is paying dividends,” he said.

FIFA’s technical report praised Morocco’s compact midfield and swift transitions, noting that coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s balanced squad combined physicality with tactical discipline. Former Zimbabwe international Peter Ndlovu, now an academy director, hailed the triumph as inspiration for local programmes. “If Morocco can dream big, so can Harare’s youngsters,” he said. “It’s a blueprint for nurturing talent from grassroots to global stage.”

African football body CAF issued congratulations, highlighting the tournament as proof that continental sides can rival traditional powerhouses when given resources and structure. Looking ahead, Morocco’s new U-20 champions will enter the 2026 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations as favourites, while scouts across Europe have already tabled offers for several star performers.

As the Atlas Cubs return home, their historic win extends beyond a trophy. It validates a generation’s ambition, reshapes scouting priorities and sends a powerful message: no football frontier is beyond reach when youth programmes are built on vision, patience and belief.