Moroccan national football developments

Moroccan football activities have focused on both youth and senior national team developments. The Morocco under-20 side, referred to as ‘Ashbal al-Atlas’, advanced to the Kotif 2026 final following a 2-0 victory over Spain’s Valencia. This win set up a historic all-African final against Mauritania.

On the senior level, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has finalized the schedule for the Morocco national team’s opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Following their performance in the 2026 World Cup, the Atlas Lions will begin their campaign in Group A, which includes Gabon, Lesotho, and Niger.

Morocco is scheduled to host Gabon on September 25, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with the match officiated by South African referee Apongile Tom. The team will then travel to face Lesotho on September 29, 2026. Because Lesotho lacks a stadium meeting international standards, the match will be held at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, under the officiating of Cameroonian referee Abdu Abdil Mufir.