U20 World Cup: The 5 marquee matchups of the first round | OneFootball

The 5 marquee matchups of the U20 World Cup opening round

Morocco/@FRMF

The race for glory at the U20 World Cup promises to be fiercely contested in this 2025 edition, set to take place in Chile.

Africa will be counting on its four representatives (Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria) to claim a second crown, following Ghana's triumph in 2009.

Here are the 5 must-watch fixtures of the U20 World Cup first round:

Morocco vs Spain

Led by a legion of rising stars playing in Europe, the African vice-champions will be aiming to go as far as possible in this South American showdown. Their clash with Spain promises high drama, given the historic rivalry between the two nations.

Brazil vs Morocco

Brazil remains one of the heavyweight favorites to lift the U20 World Cup trophy, especially as their squad is stacked with young talents coveted by football’s elite clubs. However, their task will be anything but easy against a Moroccan side capable of pulling off a major upset on their day.

Spain vs Brazil

This blockbuster Group C showdown is worthy of a tournament final. Both squads are strong contenders to reach the last four in Chile.

Italy vs Argentina

This global football classic also promises to be a fierce battle, especially with both teams boasting squads loaded with top talent.

France vs South Africa

With an inexhaustible pool of young prodigies, France heads into the tournament as heavy favorites for ultimate glory. Still, they could be shaken by a highly competitive South African side.