Having qualified for the round of 16 of the Women’s U17 World Cup being held on home soil, the Moroccan national team will face North Korea. The match will take place this Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The adventure continues for the Moroccan under-17 women’s football team at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco 2026. Following a hard-fought and intense group stage, the players managed by national coach Youness Rabie successfully secured their ticket to the round of 16 of the international competition by finishing among the four best third-placed teams in their group. To reach a new milestone in this global tournament, the young Atlas Lionesses will have to measure themselves against a formidable opponent, with a clash scheduled for this Wednesday from 15:00 on the pitch of the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
A group stage journey marked by highs
The Moroccan selection’s run in the opening round was rich in lessons and emotions for the local public. Youness Rabie’s charges had ideally kicked off their global campaign by securing a convincing and spectacular victory against New Zealand with a clear score of 4 goals to 0 on the opening matchday. The remainder of the group stage proved more complex against opponents of a high technical level, resulting in two successive defeats, first against Germany with a score of 4 to 2, and then against Argentina by 5 goals to 1 during the third and final matchday.
A major challenge against North Korea
Despite these two consecutive defeats, the Lionesses’ teammates managed to preserve a sufficient points advantage to validate their historic qualification for the knockout stage. The clash against North Korea represents a major tactical and physical challenge for the Moroccan technical staff, as Asian teams traditionally rank among the most formidable sides in these youth categories. Youness Rabie’s staff are now working to remobilise the squad in order to approach this crucial round of 16 match with the necessary rigour and determination in front of the Moroccan public.
