Morocco’s Multicultural Triumph: U20 World Cup Glory Fueled by Belgian-Moroccan Talent

Morocco’s success is partly due to Belgian-Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi. The native of Schaerbeek has managed to build a solid team, applying the advice he had given to Belgium last March. "Belgium must question its way of working and in particular on identification: here in Morocco, we have many dual nationals also within the positions of the Federation (coaches, trainers, etc.) and I think the players identify with them and it is easier for the players to work in a framework like this. In Belgium, with all the respect I have, this diversity is not seen. As a result, we have to stop wanting things that we do not create," said the former youth coach at Sporting Anderlecht.

To form the Moroccan U20 team, Ouahbi relied on dual national talents. He integrated several Franco-Moroccans and Belgian-Moroccans. Among them, the players from Sporting Anderlecht, Ali Maamar and Anas Tajaouart, and the midfielder from Sporting Charleroi, Yassine Khalifi. Together, these young players have broken through the ceiling. The Atlas Lions dominated Spain (2-0), then Brazil (2-1), before losing in a meaningless match against Mexico (0-1). Subsequently, they defeated South Korea (2-1) at the El Teniente stadium in Rancagua, Chile. They then beat the United States 3-1 in the quarter-finals, before ending the adventure of the Bleuets, after the penalty shootout (1-1 a.e.t., 4-5 on penalties).

On Sunday, Morocco signed a historic victory in the final against Argentina, and became U20 world champions. A second title for the African continent in this competition after Ghana in 2009. After this crowning achievement, eyes are turned towards the CAN that Morocco has been seeking to win since 1976, the year of its only success in the Africa Cup of Nations.