In a defining moment for African football, Morocco stunned global powerhouse Argentina with a 2-0 victory to win the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, becoming only the second African nation ever to lift the trophy, and the first North African country to do so.

The historic final, played early Monday morning in Santiago, Chile, saw 19-year-old sensation Yassir Zabiri etch his name into football folklore with a first-half brace (12th and 29th minutes) that sealed the title for the Atlas Cubs.

Despite Argentina’s pedigree and second-half pressure, Morocco’s defence stood tall. Captain Rayan El-Mourabet led a composed and disciplined backline, while goalkeeper Youssef Bakkali turned away multiple chances to secure a clean sheet in front of a stunned crowd.
“This is not just a win for Morocco, it’s a win for Africa,” said one CAF official. “The future of African football is now.”

A Remarkable Journey to the Title

Few predicted Morocco would go this far after being drawn into a brutal group alongside Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. After losing their opening game to Mexico, the young Atlas Lions bounced back stunningly, beating Brazil and Spain to top the group.

The knockout rounds saw Morocco overcome:
South Korea in the Round of 16
United States in a dominant quarter-final
France in a tense semi-final that went to penalties
And finally, Argentina, the most successful nation in U-20 World Cup history, in a convincing final display.

A New Era for Moroccan and African Football

This victory marks Morocco’s first-ever FIFA title at any level and serves as further validation of the country’s growing status as a football force. After a groundbreaking semi-final finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the senior team, this latest achievement at youth level shows the depth of talent and long-term vision driving Moroccan football.

Morocco now joins Ghana (2009) as the only African nations to win the U-20 World Cup, signaling a shift in the global balance of youth football.

As celebrations erupt in Rabat, Casablanca, and across the continent, the message is clear: Africa has arrived, and Morocco is leading the charge.