The Morocco Under-20 national football team has made history, securing their first-ever FIFA U20 World Cup title by defeating six-time champions Argentina in a thrilling final. The North African side emerged victorious with a commanding 2-0 win in the championship match of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2025, marking a monumental moment for Moroccan football.
This victory represents Morocco’s inaugural World Cup championship across all age categories, a testament to the nation’s rising prominence in international football. The decisive goals came from the talented Yassir Zabiri, a 20-year-old forward who plies his trade for FC Famalicao in the Portuguese top flight. Zabiri’s heroic performance not only secured the trophy for Morocco but also ended a 16-year drought for an African nation at the tournament, with Ghana being the last continental winner in 2009.
Morocco’s path to glory was paved with impressive victories over strong contenders, including the Under-20 teams of South Korea, the United States, and France during the knockout stages. Their formidable run culminated in a dominant performance against an Argentine side that had remained undefeated throughout the group stages and previous knockout rounds, making their defeat in the final all the more surprising and disappointing for the South American giants. The final match was held in Chile.
For Argentina, the dream of clinching a record seventh U20 World Cup title was shattered. Despite fielding highly-rated young talents such as Claudio Echeverri from Bayer Leverkusen and Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid, the star-studded squad could not overcome Morocco’s resolute defense and clinical attack.
This historic U20 success further solidifies Morocco’s status as a formidable footballing nation. The senior national team has also been on an upward trajectory, having recently secured qualification for the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. At the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Morocco famously became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, captivating fans worldwide with their inspiring journey. Argentina’s senior team, the reigning world champions, has also qualified for the 2026 tournament, where they will look to defend their title in the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
