Morocco’s U17 team delivered a huge win at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Doha, beating New Caledonia 16–0 in their final group match at Aspire Academy Pitch 1. The team showed strong attacking play and full control from start to finish.
The scoring started early. Bilal Soukrat found the net in the 3rd minute. Oualid Ibn Salah added two more goals in the 11th and 18th minutes. Morocco kept pushing, and New Caledonia struggled to keep up.
Things got worse for them when Typhan Dreuko was sent off in the 23rd minute. Eight minutes later, Jean Canehmez also received a red card.
Coach Abdelhamid Baha used FIFA’s new green card system to challenge the second red card. After a quick video review, the referee confirmed the decision. With only nine players left, New Caledonia couldn’t stop Morocco’s attack.
Morocco scored four more goals before halftime: two from Abdelali Eddaoudi (41′, 43′), one from Ilyas Hidaoui (44′), and one from Ziyad Baha (45+2′). The first half ended 7–0.
In the second half, Morocco kept going. Zakari El Khalfioui (48′), Ziyad Baha (50′), Nahel Haddani (56′, 60′), Abdellah Ouazane (73′), an own goal by Steevy Andrew (76′), and Ismail El Aoud (80, 90’′) complete the scoreline.
Morocco had 73% possession, 25 shots, and didn’t allow a single shot on target from New Caledonia. The team played with speed, focus, and teamwork.
This win was Morocco’s biggest in the tournament. It showed their strength and ability to take advantage of key moments. The green card challenge helped confirm a red card and gave Morocco the space to dominate.
Even after their record 16–0 win, Morocco U17’s place in the next round is still not certain. They finish the group stage with three points and a +8 goal difference.
To qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, they must wait for results from other groups, especially Group C (UAE, Costa Rica, Croatia, Senegal) and Group D (Qatar vs Bolivia). A win for Qatar could help Morocco’s chances.
No matter what happens next, this match will be remembered. Morocco showed their strength on the field and made history with strategic play in using FIFA’s new green card system. With skill, focus, and smart decisions, the young Atlas Cubs proved they are ready to lead the future of Moroccan football.
The upcoming friendly match between Morocco and Mozambique, scheduled for November 14 at the Grand Stade de Tanger, has sold out.
This shows the high anticipation among Moroccan fans as the national team gears up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.
In a statement, the organizing committee confirmed that tickets for the fixture, set to kick off at 8 p.m., have been completely sold out.
The committee welcomed the “strong enthusiasm of supporters, which demonstrates the immense interest of the public in the national team,” and expressed gratitude to fans for their unwavering support.
It also urged spectators to comply with organizational and security measures to ensure smooth proceedings, especially as Morocco prepares to host major continental and global tournaments in the coming months.
The friendly against Mozambique is one of two preparatory games planned this month, with the second to take place on November 18 against Uganda, also at the Tangier venue.
For these fixtures, head coach Walid Regragui has called up 27 players.
The squad will feature the return of captain Romain Saïss, forwards Soufiane Rahimi and Sofiane Diop, and the first call-up for PSV Eindhoven’s Anass Salah-Eddine. Star defender Achraf Hakimi, however, will miss the games due to injury.
Morocco will compete in Group A of the AFCON 2025 alongside Comoros, Mali, and Zambia.
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