Morocco’s under-20 national football team made history on Sunday night after defeating Argentina 2–0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final held at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile.
This remarkable victory marks Morocco’s first-ever world title at any level of football and makes them the first Arab nation to lift the prestigious U-20 World Cup trophy. It is also the first time an African nation has won the tournament since Ghana’s triumph in 2009.
The North African side stunned the world with an impressive performance led by Yassir Zabiri, who scored both goals, the first from a powerful free-kick in the 12th minute and the second following a swift counter-attack in the 29th minute. Despite Argentina’s dominant possession, Morocco’s disciplined defense and tactical brilliance secured them a clean sheet and a place in football history.
Morocco’s journey to the title was equally remarkable. They topped a difficult group that included Brazil, Spain, and Mexico before defeating South Korea, the United States, and France in the knockout stages.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised his young players for their determination and credited the win to Morocco’s growing investment in youth development and football infrastructure. “This is not just a victory for Morocco, but for Africa and the Arab world. It shows how far we’ve come,” he said after the final whistle.
Celebrations erupted across Moroccan cities, with thousands of fans flooding the streets waving flags, chanting, and lighting fireworks to mark the nation’s historic triumph.
The win further solidifies Morocco’s position as one of Africa’s rising football powers following their senior team’s semi-final appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
