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Morocco national under-23 football team

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Morocco U-23
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)أسود الأطلس
(Atlas Lions)
AssociationRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
Other affiliationMoroccan National Olympic Committee
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNAF (North Africa)
Head coachTarik Sektioui
CaptainAbde Ezzalzouli
Home stadiumPrince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
FIFA codeMAR
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Morocco 2–0 Tunisia 
(Rabat, Morocco; 6 September 1960)
Biggest win
 Morocco 6–0 Malaysia 
(Ingolstadt, West Germany; 31 August 1972)  Morocco 6–0 Egypt 
(Nantes, France; 8 August 2024)
Biggest defeat
Hungary  6–0 Morocco 
(Tokyo, Japan; 11 October 1964)
Records for competitive matches only.
Olympic Games
Appearances8 (first in 1964)
Best resultBronze Bronze medalists (2024[1])
U-23 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2011)
Best resultChampion Champions (2023)
Medal record
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Paris
Africa Cup of Nations
Gold medal – first place 2023 Morocco
Silver medal – second place 2011 Morocco
Islamic Solidarity Games
Silver medal – second place 2005 Saudi Arabia

The Morocco national under-23 football team, also known as the Morocco Olympic football team, represents Morocco in international football competitions in the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except during the Olympic Games where up to three overage players is allowed. The team is controlled by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

History

[edit]

Morocco, a country in North Africa, is known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and unique blend of cultures. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, Morocco has been influenced by various civilizations throughout its history. From ancient Berber tribes to modern urban centers, the country remains a fascinating destination with a deep-rooted identity.

The history of Morocco dates back thousands of years to the Berbers, the indigenous people who have inhabited the region for over 4,000 years. The Phoenicians, Romans, and later Arab conquerors all left their mark on Moroccan culture. In the 7th century, Islam was introduced, shaping the country's religious and political landscape. Over time, Morocco became a powerful kingdom, known for its strategic position and thriving trade routes.

During the Middle Ages, Morocco was a major player in regional politics. The Almoravid and Almohad dynasties expanded their rule into Spain and West Africa, spreading Moroccan influence across continents. The city of Marrakech, founded in 1070, became a center of learning, trade, and art. The country's architectural marvels, such as the Koutoubia Mosque and the Kasbah of the Udayas, reflect this golden age of Moroccan civilization.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Morocco faced increasing pressure from European powers, particularly France and Spain. By 1912, the country was divided into French and Spanish protectorates, while Tangier became an international zone. Despite foreign rule, Moroccans preserved their traditions and resisted colonial influence. Nationalist movements grew, leading to Morocco’s independence from France and Spain in 1956 under King Mohammed V.

Modern Morocco is a blend of ancient traditions and rapid development. Cities like Casablanca and Rabat showcase the nation’s modernization, with skyscrapers, high-speed trains, and expanding industries. Meanwhile, historical cities like Fez and Chefchaouen preserve Morocco's medieval charm, drawing tourists from around the world. The country’s unique mix of Arab, Berber, and European influences can be seen in its architecture, clothing, and daily life.

One of Morocco’s most famous cultural aspects is its cuisine. Traditional dishes such as tagine, couscous, and pastilla reflect the country’s diverse culinary heritage. Moroccan food is known for its rich spices, slow-cooked meats, and sweet-savory combinations. Mint tea, a staple of Moroccan hospitality, is served in nearly every home and café, symbolizing warmth and generosity.

Morocco's natural beauty is just as impressive as its culture. The country boasts a wide range of landscapes, from the vast Sahara Desert to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The coastal cities of Essaouira and Agadir offer stunning beaches, while the lush valleys of the Rif and Middle Atlas Mountains provide breathtaking hiking opportunities. The contrast between these environments makes Morocco a paradise for nature lovers.

The country is also famous for its bustling markets, known as souks, where visitors can find everything from handcrafted rugs to intricate jewelry. The medinas of Marrakech and Fez are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, filled with winding alleys, historic buildings, and vibrant street life. These markets are a testament to Morocco’s strong artisanal traditions, which have been passed down for generations.

Despite its progress, Morocco faces challenges such as economic inequality and unemployment. The government has invested in infrastructure and education to improve living conditions, but rural areas still struggle with limited access to resources. However, Morocco remains one of Africa’s most stable nations, with a growing economy based on tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.

In conclusion, Morocco is a country of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern innovations. From its rich history and diverse landscapes to its vibrant culture and warm hospitality, Morocco continues to captivate those who visit. Whether exploring the Sahara, tasting Moroccan delicacies, or getting lost in a historic medina, one can always find something fascinating in this extraordinary land.

First Continental Final

[edit]

During the inaugural 2011 CAF U-23 Championship held in Morocco.[2] The host nation coached by Pim Verbeek, recorded narrow 1-0 victories against both Nigeria and Algeria, before losing to Senegal.[3] In the semi-finals, Morocco successfully secured a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by defeating Egypt 3-2 in a tense game which also saw Abdelaziz Barrada scoring the fastest goal in the history of the tournament to date after just 30 seconds. This marked the return of the Atlas Lions to the Olympic football tournament having missed out on qualifying in 2008.[4] However, they faced a setback when they suffered a 2-1 defeat against the surprising contender, Gabon, in the final held at the Marrakech Stadium.[5]

Golden generation (2022–)

[edit]

On 7 July 2022, Morocco were awarded the hosting rights of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the return of the U-23 team to the competition for the first time in 12 years.[6][7][8] Their campaign kicked off on a positive note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Guinea,[9] followed by a resounding 5-1 triumph over Ghana, emerging as group winners and securing a place in the semifinals with one game to spare.[10][11] They went on to win the semi-final against Mali and qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.[12][13] They defeated Egypt 2-1 in the final to win their first ever continental title.[14][15] The team was congratulated by King Mohammed VI for their achievement.[16][17]

On 29 February 2024, Tarik Sektioui was appointed head coach of the men's Olympic squad by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.[18] In Paris 2024, Morocco debuted in group B with a 2–1 victory against Argentina,[19] followed by a 2–1 defeat against Ukraine and a 3–0 victory against Iraq.[20][21] Topping their group with six points ahead of Argentina on the head-to-head record, Morocco thus reached the knockout stage for the first time since 1972. They defeated the United States 4-0 in the quarterfinals, reaching the semifinals for the first time ever.[22] In the semifinal, Morocco lost 2–1 against Spain.[23] They then won 6–0 against Egypt in the third place to win the bronze medal.[24]

Results and fixtures

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Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Voided or Postponed   Fixture

2023

[edit]
7 September Friendly Morocco  1–0  Brazil Fez, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
  • El Ouahdi 73'
 Stadium: Fez Stadium
Referee: Sow Sandigui (Senegal)
11 September Friendly Morocco  Cancelled  Brazil Fez, Morocco
Stadium: Fez Stadium
12 October Friendly Morocco  0–1  Iraq Casablanca, Morocco
Report
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
16 October Friendly Morocco  3–1  Dominican Republic Casablanca, Morocco
 Report
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
16 November Friendly Morocco  0–3  Denmark San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
15:00 Report
Stadium: Pinatar Arena
21 November Friendly Morocco  1–0  United States San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
15:00
Report Stadium: Pinatar Arena

2024

[edit]
22 March Friendly Ukraine  1–0  Morocco Antalya, Turkey
Report Stadium: Gloria Sports Arena
26 March Friendly Morocco  2–0  Wales Antalya, Turkey
Igamane Report Stadium: Gloria Sports Arena
4 June Friendly Morocco  2–2  Belgium Rabat, Morocco
Kechta 63'
Maouhoub 90'		 Report Smets 42'
Dwomoh 53'		 Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
10 June Friendly Morocco  Cancelled  Kosovo Rabat, Morocco
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
24 July 2024 Summer Olympics Group B Argentina  1–2  Morocco Saint-Étienne, France
15:00
Report
Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Attendance: 26,717
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
27 July 2024 Summer Olympics Group B Ukraine  2–1  Morocco Saint-Étienne, France
17:00
Report
Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Attendance: 28,655
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
30 July 2024 Summer Olympics Group B Morocco  3–0  Iraq Nice, France
17:00
Report Stadium: Allianz Riviera
Attendance: 19,300
Referee: Ramon Abatti (Brazil)
2 August 2024 Summer Olympics QF Morocco  4–0  United States Paris, France
15:00
Report Stadium: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 42,868
Referee: Yael Falcón (Argentina)
5 August 2024 Summer Olympics SF Morocco  1–2  Spain Marseille, France
18:00
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marseille
Attendance: 59,882
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
8 August 2024 Summer Olympics Bronze Egypt  0–6  Morocco Nantes, France
17:00 Report
Stadium: Stade de la Beaujoire
Attendance: 27,391
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Head coach Morocco Tarik Sektioui
Assistant coach(es) Morocco Youssouf Hadji
Morocco Fahd El Ouarga
Fitness coach France Grégory Delhomel
Goalkeeping coach Belgium Laurent Deraedt
Technical director Belgium Chris Van Puyvelde
Video analyst France Damien Januel

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
  • Caps and goals are correct as of 8 August 2024, after the match against Egypt.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Munir Mohamedi* (1989-05-10) 10 May 1989 (age 35) 6 0 Saudi Arabia Al Wehda
12 1GK Rachid Ghanimi (2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Morocco FUS Rabat
22 1GK Mohamed Reda Asmama (2002-02-08) 8 February 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Morocco Union de Touarga
2 2DF Achraf Hakimi* (captain) (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 26) 8 2 France Paris Saint-Germain
3 2DF Akram Nakach (2002-04-07) 7 April 2002 (age 22) 5 1 Morocco Union de Touarga
4 2DF Mehdi Boukamir (2004-01-26) 26 January 2004 (age 21) 14 0 Belgium Charleroi
5 2DF Adil Tahif (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 23) 7 0 Morocco RS Berkane
11 2DF Zakaria El Ouahdi (2001-12-31) 31 December 2001 (age 23) 19 3 Belgium Genk
19 2DF Haytam Manaout (2001-04-18) 18 April 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Morocco Union de Touarga
21 2DF Bilal El Ouadghiri (2001-08-03)3 August 2001 (aged 22) 1 0 Morocco FUS Rabat
6 3MF Benjamin Bouchouari (2001-11-13) 13 November 2001 (age 23) 14 0 France Saint-Étienne
8 3MF Bilal El Khannous (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20) 7 1 Belgium Genk
13 3MF Yassine Kechta (2002-02-25) 25 February 2002 (age 22) 12 1 France Le Havre
14 3MF Oussama Targhalline (2002-05-20) 20 May 2002 (age 22) 16 1 France Le Havre
17 3MF Oussama El Azzouzi (2001-05-29) 29 May 2001 (age 23) 12 0 Italy Bologna
18 3MF Amir Richardson (2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 23) 14 2 Italy Fiorentina
20 3MF El Mehdi El Moubarik (2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 (age 24) 4 0 Morocco Raja Casablanca
7 4FW Eliesse Ben Seghir (2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 19) 6 0 France Monaco
9 4FW Soufiane Rahimi* (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 28) 6 8 United Arab Emirates Al Ain
10 4FW Ilias Akhomach (2004-04-16) 16 April 2004 (age 20) 7 1 Spain Villarreal
15 4FW El Mehdi Maouhoub (2003-06-05) 5 June 2003 (age 21) 7 2 Morocco Raja Casablanca
16 4FW Abde Ezzalzouli (2001-12-25) 25 December 2001 (age 23) 11 5 Spain Real Betis

* Overage player.

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club[a] Latest call-up
GK Walid Hasbi (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 21) 4 0 France Racing Strasbourg B v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
GK Alaa Bellaarouch (2002-02-01) 1 February 2002 (age 22) 8 0 France Racing Strasbourg v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024PRE
DF Ayoub Amraoui (2004-05-14) 14 May 2004 (age 20) 12 0 France Amiens v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
DF Chadi Riad (2003-06-17) 17 June 2003 (age 21) 6 0 Spain Betis v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
DF Mohamed Jaouab (2002-05-14) 14 May 2002 (age 22) 4 1 France Amiens v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
DF Ayman El Wafi (2004-05-11) 11 May 2004 (age 20) 11 0 Switzerland Lugano v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
DF Omar El Hilali (2003-09-12) 12 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Spain Espanyol v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
DF Adam Aznou (2006-06-02) 2 June 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Germany Bayern Munich II v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
MF Ismael Saibari (2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 24) 11 4 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
MF Mohamed Nassoh (2003-01-26) 26 January 2003 (age 22) 5 0 Netherlands PSV Eindhoven v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
MF Amine Souane (2001-09-17) 17 September 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Morocco MC Oujda v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Yanis Begraoui (2001-07-04) 4 July 2001 (age 23) 14 4 France Pau v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Amine El Ouazzani (2001-07-15) 15 July 2001 (age 23) 13 2 France Guingamp v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Ibrahim Salah (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 23) 9 0 France Rennes v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Salim El Jebari (2004-02-05) 5 February 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Spain Atlético Madrid v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Montasser Lahtimi (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Morocco Wydad Casablanca v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024
FW Tawfik Bentayeb (2002-01-14) 14 January 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Morocco Union de Touarga v.  Belgium, 4 June 2024PRE
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Previous squads

[edit]

Overage players in Olympic Games

[edit]
Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
2000
 El Houssaine Ouchla (DF) Adel Chbouki (MF) Salaheddine Bassir (FW)
2004
 Nadir Lamyaghri (GK) Otmane El Assas (MF) Bouchaib El Moubarki (FW)
2012
 Houssine Kharja (MF) Nordin Amrabat (FW) did not select
2024
 Munir Mohamedi (GK) Achraf Hakimi (DF) Soufiane Rahimi (FW)

Competitive record

[edit]

Olympic Games

[edit]
See also: Morocco at the Olympics
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Until 1988 See Morocco national football team
Spain 1992 Group stage 15th 3 0 1 2 2 8
United States 1996 Did not qualify
Australia 2000 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 1 7
Greece 2004 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 3 3
China 2008 Did not qualify
United Kingdom 2012 Group stage 11th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Brazil 2016 Did not qualify
Japan 2020
France 2024 Bronze medal 3rd 6 4 0 2 17 5
United States 2028 To be determined
Australia 2032
Total Bronze medal 5/9 18 5 4 9 25 26

U-23 Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]
U-23 Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 2
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Morocco 2011 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 6 5
Senegal 2015 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019
Morocco 2023 Champions 5 4 1 0 12 5
Total 2/4 10 7 1 2 18 10

UNAF U-23 Tournament

[edit]
UNAF U-23 Tournament record
Appearances: 3 / 4
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Libya 2006 - - - - - - - -
Tunisia 2007 Third place 3rd
Morocco 2010 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 3
Morocco 2011 Third place 3rd 2 0 1 1 1 2
Algeria 2015 Postponed

Islamic Solidarity Games

[edit]
Islamic Solidarity Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Saudi Arabia 2005 Silver Medal 2nd 5 2 2 1 4 2
Iran 2010 Cancelled
Indonesia 2013 Gold Medal 1st 4 3 0 1 6 3
Azerbaijan 2017 Group stage 5th 3 1 2 0 2 1
Turkey 2021 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 5 4
Saudi Arabia 2025 To be determined
Total 1 title 4/4 15 7 5 3 17 10

Honours

[edit]

Intercontinental

3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Bronze medal (1): 2024

Continental

1st place, gold medalist(s) Winners (1): 2023
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2011

Other

2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2010
3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Third Place (2): 2007, 2011
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2005
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2015

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The club listed is the club for which the player last played a competitive match prior to the call-up.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/results/football/men/fnl-000200-- [bare URL]
  2. ^ "Morocco to host Olympic tourney". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  3. ^ "Morocco, Egypt chase Olympic spot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  4. ^ "Morocco through to Olympic Games". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  5. ^ "Gabon win first continental title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  6. ^ Latrech, Oumaima (7 July 2022). "Morocco to Host U23 AFCON Tournament in 2023". Morocco World News. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  7. ^ "CAF unveils the host country of the AFCON U-23 2023". AfrikPage. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Hosts Morocco get Ghana, Congo and Guinea at TotalEnergies U23 AFCON draw". CAF. 5 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Moroccan U-23 team beats Guinean counterpart 2-1". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "TotalEnergies U23 AFCON: Morocco secure semi-final berth with impressive win over Ghana | Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  11. ^ "Morocco dominates Ghana with 5-1 victory, advances to U23 Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Finals". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  12. ^ "CAN U23: Morocco join Egypt in the final and qualify for the Olympic Games". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  13. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco triumphs over Mali to reach final, seal Olympics berth | Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  14. ^ "Morocco's U23 team crowned with African Cup of Nations". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  15. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Morocco win maiden TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title with victory over Egypt | Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  16. ^ "King Mohammed VI congratulates national U23 team for their victory, qualification to Paris '24 Olympics". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  17. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "U-23 AFCON: King Mohammed VI Congratulates Atlas Lions". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  18. ^ "Tarik Sektioui appointed Morocco's new U23 manager". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  19. ^ "Olympics football: Crowd trouble sees Morocco's win over Argentina delayed before play resumes". BBC Sport. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  20. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2024-07-27). "Morocco loses to Ukraine 2-1 in second Olympics football match". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  21. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2024-07-30). "Morocco beats Iraq 3-0 in last Olympics group stage game, qualifying for quarterfinals". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  22. ^ Dure, Beau (2024-08-02). "Morocco 4-0 USA: Paris Olympics men's soccer quarter-finals – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  23. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2024-08-05). "Morocco's Olympic dream ends with 2-1 defeat to Spain". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  24. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2024-08-08). "Morocco's Olympian football team win historic bronze with 6-0 Egypt sweep". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  25. ^ "السيد طارق السكتيوي يكشف عن قائمة اللاعبين المتوجه إلى باريس" [Mr. Tariq Al-Saktiwi reveals the list of players heading to Paris] (in Arabic). Royal Moroccan Football Federation. 4 July 2024.
  26. ^ "JO Paris 2024/Maroc U23 : Ayman El Wafi annonce son forfait" (in French). Hespress. 9 July 2024.
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