Ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, Ahmed Kantari has officialised the list of 21 players selected to represent the Kingdom during this major international football event.
Preparations for the future of national football reach a decisive milestone on the international stage. On Tuesday in Rabat, the head coach of the U17 men’s national team, Ahmed Kantari, officialised the final list of twenty-one players selected to compete in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tournament will take place from 19 November to 13 December 2026 in Qatar and will feature forty-eight nations, according to details shared by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The group selected by the technical staff consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards. Drawn into Group H for the opening round, the Atlas Lionceaux will successively face Spain, Fiji, and China with the ambition of carrying the country’s colours high.
Continuity in performance and elite development
This selection builds directly on the positive momentum established by national development structures. Following a remarkable campaign in the previous edition where they reached the quarter-finals in Qatar, the young internationals secured their ticket for this global tournament by reaching the quarter-finals of the U17 AFCON hosted in Morocco. This regular presence among top world nations highlights the tactical maturity and rising power of prospects developed in local academies as well as within the diaspora.
Enhancing sporting expertise and benefits for the country
Beyond pure competition, the Atlas Lionceaux’s participation in this global tournament serves as a powerful showcase for Moroccan technical coaching expertise. Continuous investment in training infrastructure, such as the Mohammed VI Football Complex, steadily feeds national squads with highly qualified talent. This international platform also drives youth sports engagement, promotes job creation in sports support roles, and solidifies the Kingdom’s standing as a hub of excellence in African and world football.
