Morocco’s national youth football program is gaining attention from FIFA, which is considering using it as a model for other African countries.
A FIFA team recently visited Morocco to see how the program works. They checked out clubs like Wydad Athletic Club, Raja Club Athletic, Fath Union Sport, and Renaissance Sportive de Berkane.
FIFA said the coaching and facilities are top quality.
Next April, FIFA will run a conference in Morocco to help local coaches improve their skills even more. They will also provide money to some clubs to upgrade their facilities and make sure young players have the best environment to grow.
The heart of the program is the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé. Opened in 2009 with $15 million, it mixes football training with modern schooling and has produced stars like Youssef En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi, and Nayef Aguerd
Morocco also set up regional centres so kids from smaller towns can get the same coaching as those in big cities. Coaches are trained to high international standards, making sure young players learn in a professional environment.
The program is already showing results. In 2025, Morocco won the FIFA U20 World Cup, the first African and Arab nation to do so. Their U17 team won the Africa Cup of Nations, and the local squad also lifted the FIFA Arab Cup.
Players like Yassir Zabiri and Othmane Maamma played key roles.
A big reason for the program’s success is the National Football Training Fund, set up by the Moroccan Football Federation and the OCP Group. It provides steady funding for club academies, helping them keep high standards and invest in young players. The program aims to reach around 90,000 young footballers across the country.
Women’s youth football is growing fast too. Morocco is hosting the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup until 2029 and has strong women’s clubs like ASFAR, which reached the finals of the first FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in 2026.
FIFA calls Morocco a “gold standard” for youth football in Africa, thanks to top facilities, skilled coaches, and a smart funding system.
The program is helping Morocco become a serious force in world football.
