Sixteen years after Ghana’s historic triumph, Morocco have joined the exclusive list of FIFA U-20 World Cup champions. The Atlas Lion Cubs stunned six-time winners Argentina 2-0 on Sunday at the Julio Martínez Prádanos Stadium in Santiago, Chile, to claim their maiden global crown.
Yassir Zabiri was the star of the night, scoring both goals in a scintillating man-of-the-match performance that sealed Morocco’s place in history. The forward’s brace not only secured victory but also earned him the tournament’s Golden Boot with five goals.
Under the tactical direction of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco combined disciplined defending with fluid, attacking football that left Argentina with no response. Their triumph comes just months after finishing as runners-up at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, a testament to the country’s fast-rising football development under the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The awards further highlighted Morocco’s dominance. Othmane Maamane was named Player of the Tournament, taking home the Golden Ball, while Zabiri received the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the competition.
With this historic achievement, the Atlas Lion Cubs have written a new chapter in African football, inspiring a generation across the continent and reaffirming Morocco’s growing stature on the global stage.
