The impressive scenes of jubilation of Moroccan fans in Rabat,the victory parade of the U-20 World Cup champions and their memorable celebration at the Royal Palace with Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan are powerful display of unity and pride,leaving Morocco’s enemies totally crushed.
The historic achievement made by the U-20 Atlas Cubs,the first Moroccan and Arab team to win a world cup,after a thrilling 2-0 win over Argentina in Chile,deals a hard blow to the conspirators and manipulators of “GenZ-212” who tried hard to destabilize the country but to no avail.
Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and thanks to the efforts of President of the Royal FootballFederation Fouzi Lekjaa and Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi,this golden generation has written one of the greatest chapters in Moroccan football history. The “Gen-U20” champions proved that success is possible with perseverance,hard work,and discipline.
Every victory is special. But some,do resonate more than others,probably because they are the sum of many victories in one. This is the case of the U-20 generation.
The Atlas Cubs turned Morocco’s World Cup dream into reality. They raised Kingdom’s the national flag high at the world football podium,sending a message that nothing is impossible. With a winning mindset,the sky is the limit.
In Morocco,football is more than a passion. It brings people together to support their national team and their favourite players,all banded under one flag. It also builds teamwork and break down social barriers.
At the Rabat Royal Palace,the 22-year-old Crown Prince chaired on Wednesday a reception hosted by King Mohammed VI in honour of the U-20 World Cup Champions. The ultimate dream of every Moroccan.
The royal reception was capped by a memorable open-to bus parade across the main avenues of the Rabat capital city which was swarmed by cheering supporters dressed in the national colors of red and green.
Videos show the bus inching forward slowly behind a heavy police escort,while thousands of fans were waving Moroccan national flags and taking photos with phones. The air was filled with cheers as the crowd sang and danced; the ecstatic players,standing on the open top deck,waved to their adoring supporters beaming with joy.
Football changes people by teaching them valuable life skills like teamwork,discipline,and resilience,while also building community and providing opportunities for personal growth and education. Sport shapes character through challenges and successes.
It is also a lever for development because it drives economic growth through the industry and tourism,and serves as a tool for social change by engaging communities and transcending barriers. It creates jobs,stimulates related products and infrastructure,and enhances a nation’s global standing through international performance.
This is exactly the secret sauce of the success of the Moroccan football experience. Its dazzling rise makes many countries seeking to benefit from the Moroccan model based on the Mohammed VI Football academy which has produced the current U-20 stars and most of the Atlas Lions,the 2022 world cup semi-finalists.
The 2025 World Cup won by the Atlas Cubs is the culmination of a long journey. It builds on the achievement made by the Atlas Lions in Qatar 2022 World Cup,the bronze medal won at the Paris 2024 Olympics and qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The Moroccans also won the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN),the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023 and the U-17 African Nations Championship 2025. They even reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. This means that Morocco is a rising football country,working methodically and meticulously on all its team categories with a bottom-up strategy.
The Moroccan Atlas Lions hold currently the world record for the longest winning streak in international football for a national team,with an ongoing run of 16 consecutive victories across all competitions.
Furthermore,in latest FIFA men’s ranking,Morocco remains at the top Arab and African team,ranking currently 12th in the world. So,when the Atlas Cubs are crowned World Cup champions,it motivates other Moroccan teams to follow suit.
FIFA said 2.8 billion viewers watched U20 Morocco-Argentina final and Atlas Cubs winning the trophy. This boosts Morocco football soft power to an unprecedented level. Experts expect huge economic impacts thanks to Nation Branding. This is exactly what makes many envious,especially those behind “Genz-212” !
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