Royal salute in Rabat
The roar that greeted the team bus on Avenue Mohammed V still echoes through the capital. Less than twenty-four hours after lifting the FIFA U20 World Cup in Santiago, the Lion Cubs of Atlas stepped onto the red carpet laid before the Royal Palace in Rabat.
- Royal salute in Rabat
- The prince, the players and the pride
- A sovereign message of encouragement
- Academy at the heart of success
- Staff work behind the curtain
- From palace gates to city streets
- Nationwide jubilation
- Economic boost already visible
- African ripple effect
- Inspiration for Congolese prospects
- Diplomatic bridges through sport
- Women’s football next in line
- Road to the senior squad
- Keeping feet on the ground
- Support systems for families
- What fans can expect next
- A turning point worth savouring
- The final whistle, for now
The prince, the players and the pride
On instructions from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan headed the reception. Smiling, the future monarch shook every hand, pausing for photos that instantly dominated social networks. Beside him stood Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football president Fouzi Lekjaa and head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, visibly moved by the occasion.
A sovereign message of encouragement
Moments earlier, a personal letter from King Mohammed VI had been read aloud. He praised the squad’s “discipline, talent and unshakeable will” and hailed their victory as “a beacon for Moroccan and African youth”. Players listened, medals shining, as cameras flashed under the late-afternoon sun.
Academy at the heart of success
Seven starters in the historic final are graduates of the Mohammed VI Football Academy. Founded in 2009, the institution has become a benchmark for elite training on the continent. Synthetic pitches, modern dormitories and schoolrooms allow youngsters to balance algebra equations with perfecting first touches.
Staff work behind the curtain
Coach Ouahbi credited his assistants—fitness guru Azeddine Benabdeljalil and analyst Laila Ouardani—for meticulous planning that neutralised Brazil and out-paced Spain in earlier rounds. “Our GPS data dictated recovery cycles and tactical tweaks, and the boys followed everything to the letter,” he said after the final whistle.
From palace gates to city streets
Once protocol ended, players climbed onto an open-top truck trailing confetti. Rabat’s Corniche became a sea of red flags as families sang Aïta classics remixed with stadium chants. Many fans painted the number 22, symbolising both the squad size and the new chapter of Moroccan sporting history.
Nationwide jubilation
Celebrations were not confined to the capital. Giant screens in Casablanca’s Mohammed V Square, Tangier’s Ibn Battuta Avenue and Agadir’s beach promenade relayed the ceremony live. Fireworks burst above Fez’s Marinid tombs, turning ancient ramparts crimson and green.
Economic boost already visible
Local vendors report jersey sales quadrupling in forty-eight hours. Sports-goods chain CitySport extended opening hours until midnight. Tourism officials anticipate a spike in arrivals, citing Argentina’s 2022 World Cup glow as precedent. “Football sells dreams—and plane tickets,” noted economist Rachid Lahlou.
African ripple effect
The Confederation of African Football congratulated Morocco, framing the triumph as proof of the continent’s growing talent pipeline. Cape Verdean legend Héldon Ramos tweeted that the victory “sets a standard we must all chase” while Senegal’s sports minister invited Moroccan coaches to share best practices in Dakar.
Inspiration for Congolese prospects
Across the Republic of Congo, aspiring strikers watched highlights on phones and café screens. Pointe-Noire’s Académie Diables Noirs plans to incorporate elements of the Mohammed VI model, focusing on nutrition and video analysis. “If they can conquer the world, so can we,” said academy director Kader Mavinga.
Diplomatic bridges through sport
Moroccan ambassador Abderrahmane Benomar, visiting Brazzaville last month, emphasised that football partnerships complement infrastructure and trade projects linking the two countries. This latest triumph, he believes, will strengthen cultural ties and youth exchanges across the Sahara.
Women’s football next in line
Encouraged by the men’s success, Royal Federation officials confirmed that investment in the women’s under-17 program will double next season. Goalposts are already being installed at the academy’s new women-only wing, scheduled to open before the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
Road to the senior squad
Several Lion Cubs are tipped for first-team call-ups ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Midfielder Yassine Azzouzi, 19, has reportedly attracted interest from Sevilla FC, while captain Hamza El Maaroufi trains regularly with Wydad Casablanca’s senior side.
Keeping feet on the ground
Coach Ouahbi urged caution, reminding fans that early fame can derail young stars. “Study, respect your elders and remember every tackle you missed,” he told them during a closed-door debrief. His words echo academy rules that require players to maintain a minimum school average.
Support systems for families
To shield players from pressure, the Federation offers psychological counselling and media training. Parents receive workshops on financial literacy, ensuring windfalls are invested wisely. “We are cultivating citizens before athletes,” explained federation vice-president Khadija Benchekroun.
What fans can expect next
A celebratory friendly against France’s U20 side is pencilled in for December at the new Ibn Sina Stadium. Broadcast rights discussions are under way with beIN Sports. Tickets, officials say, will include discounted bundles for students and army personnel.
A turning point worth savouring
From the royal palace to neighbourhood cafés, Morocco’s first global football title has united generations. The image of Moulay El Hassan lifting the gleaming trophy beside teenagers not much younger than himself encapsulates a hopeful narrative: with guidance and grit, African dreams can travel far.
The final whistle, for now
As night fell over Rabat, the capital exhaled but did not sleep. Drums echoed in the medina until dawn, blending with the distant call to prayer. For the Lion Cubs, recovery sessions begin tomorrow; for their supporters, the celebration may last a lifetime.
