Expert opinion: What fixes are needed for the Moroccan squad ahead of the round of 16 in U17 World Cup?

In partnership with

Foot Africa

·11 November 2025

Expert opinion: What fixes are needed for the Moroccan squad ahead of the round of 16 in U17 World Cup?

Exclusive Interview

Adjustments for the Moroccan team before the round of 16

OneFootball Videos

morocco/@CAF

Morocco has shown both flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle during this 20th edition of the U17 World Cup.

After a shaky start to the tournament, the "Atlas Cubs" managed to secure their ticket to the round of 16.

To discuss the adjustments needed for the Moroccan squad before their round of 16 clash, Foot Africa reached out to Moroccan journalist Hamza Chtioui for his expert view.

In my opinion, head coach Nabil Baha must address two thorny issues that have plagued the national team during the first two matches of the group stage.First and foremost, he needs to finally settle on a starting eleven and stop the constant changes to the lineup. The Moroccan side desperately lacks cohesion, and the blame primarily lies with coach Nabil Baha, who has yet to stabilize his starting lineup.Furthermore, it's crucial to establish a solid tactical setup to address the recurring issue of defensive disorganization. During the group stage, both Japan and Portugal managed to trouble the Moroccan goalkeeper, capitalizing on the gaps left in midfield and defense.Morocco is not safe from another setback unless they can fix their tactical shortcomings. It’s essential to close down the spaces in the danger zone and try to win the ball higher up the pitch.

As a reminder, the Atlas Cubs were defeated by Japan (0-2) and Portugal (0-6) in their first two group matches before achieving a historic 16-0 victory over New Caledonia, which secured their qualification for the round of 16.