U17 WORLD CUP
Morocco U17s off to winning World Cup start against Panama
The Morocco U17 national team began their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Panama on Friday.
In their Group A opener at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, goals from Saifdine Chlaghmo and Ayman Ennair earned the Atlas Cubs three points.
Chlaghmo headed Morocco in front on 16 minutes, rising highest to convert Abdelhamid Maali’s deep corner past Panama goalkeeper Manuel Romero.
Morocco controlled the first half but Panama emerged rejuvenated after the break. The Central Americans nearly equalised on 60 minutes as Oldemar Castillo cut inside and curled just wide.
Minutes later, Panama substitute Frederik Krug somehow side-footed over from six yards out following Hector Rios’ cutback, spurning his side’s best opportunity.
That miss proved costly as Morocco sealed victory in second-half stoppage time. Maali’s clipped ball found Ennair breaking through on goal to delicately lift the ball over Romero.
It was a deserved win for Morocco, who dominated possession and territory against a Panama team that competed well after their timid first half.
Man of the match honours went to tenacious Morocco midfielder Mohamed Hamony for his battling midfield display.
Morocco next face hosts Indonesia on Monday, while Panama take on Ecuador later the same day.
After this opening win, the Atlas Cubs appear well positioned to progress from Group A if they can maintain this form.
Africa’s ten representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 have been confirmed, following the conclusion of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) play-offs on Saturday.
Egypt and Uganda claimed the final two African slots for the global tournament after crucial wins in the play-off round on Saturday, joining Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia as the continent’s flagbearers at the world stage.
The expanded tournament – the largest in the history of the U-17 World Cup – will feature 48 teams for the first time and will be held from 3 to 27 November 2025 in Qatar.
Uganda made history by qualifying for their maiden U-17 World Cup after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over The Gambia.
After conceding in under a minute, goals from James Bogere in the 13th and 33rd minutes turned the tide for the East Africans, who held firm to book a debut appearance on the world stage.
Later in the day, hosts Egypt delighted home fans with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Angola.
A deflected strike from Abdel Aziz El Zoghby and a second-half effort by Hamza Mohamed Abdel Karim sealed the ticket for the Pharaohs, despite Angola pulling one back late in the game.
The other eight African nations had already qualified by progressing to the knockout stages of the U-17 AFCON.
Among them are Senegal, defending African champions at youth level, and Côte d’Ivoire, who impressed with a resounding 4-2 win over Mali during the group stage.
Tunisia and South Africa also secured their places early after finishing strongly in their respective groups, while traditional powerhouses Morocco and Zambia return to the global stage with high expectations.
The U-17 World Cup has been a proving ground for future superstars including Michael Essien and Sammy Kuffuor, Nwankwo Kanu, Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra.
Now, Africa’s new generation of talent will look to shine on the world stage and possibly follow in their illustrious footsteps.
With the continent’s ten teams now confirmed, the focus shifts to preparations and the final draw, as Africa prepares to challenge for global glory in Doha later this year.
-CAF
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The FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be held annually instead of biennially, with the next five editions from 2025 to take place in Qatar, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
Like the senior men’s World Cup, the Under-17 tournament will be expanded to 48 teams, FIFA said.
The women’s Under-17 World Cup will also be played annually from 2025, with Morocco hosting an expanded 24-team event until 2029. The 2022 edition had 16 teams.
“This followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability,” FIFA said.
The last men’s Under-17 World Cup was held in 2023 with Germany winning their first title. Spain won the women’s edition in 2022.
Qatar hosted the 2022 senior men’s World Cup in winter while Morocco are one of the co-hosts for the 2030 edition.
FIFA also said a record $2.25 billion had been earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle for investment in football development.
“Thanks to its solid financial governance, FIFA is well on track to exceed its budgetary target of $11 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the FIFA Council meeting.
Infantino also called for the imposition of stricter measures to combat racism. Last month, he called for teams to face automatic defeat if their fans displayed racist behaviour.
“The 74th FIFA Congress will mark a milestone in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to fight racism with new and stricter measures to be applied worldwide in cooperation with all our member associations and the confederations,” Infantino added.
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be held annually instead of biennially, with the next five editions from 2025 to take place in Qatar, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
Like the senior men’s World Cup, the Under-17 tournament will be expanded to 48 teams, FIFA said.
The women’s Under-17 World Cup will also be played annually from 2025, with Morocco hosting an expanded 24-team event until 2029. The 2022 edition had 16 teams.
“This followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability,” FIFA said.
The last men’s Under-17 World Cup was held in 2023 with Germany winning their first title. Spain won the women’s edition in 2022.
Qatar hosted the 2022 senior men’s World Cup in winter while Morocco are one of the co-hosts for the 2030 edition.
FIFA also said a record $2.25 billion had been earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle for investment in football development.
“Thanks to its solid financial governance, FIFA is well on track to exceed its budgetary target of $11 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the FIFA Council meeting.
Infantino also called for the imposition of stricter measures to combat racism. Last month, he called for teams to face automatic defeat if their fans displayed racist behaviour.
“The 74th FIFA Congress will mark a milestone in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to fight racism with new and stricter measures to be applied worldwide in cooperation with all our member associations and the confederations,” Infantino added.
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