In a twist that would make a soap opera jealous, Morocco managed to give the United States a taste of humiliation in the quarter‑final of the 2025 FIFA U‑20 World Cup, dispatching them in a 1‑0 dribble‑and‑dribble. Now the Amazones of the Atlas are set to face the French squad in a semifinal that promises both style and a dash of political irony about the future of global football.
The quarter‑final showdown saw Morocco out‑class the Americans, the match ending 1–0 thanks to a slick free‑kick from Youssef Cheikh that left the US goalkeeper scratching his head. Morocco’s coach, Jamal Belmouat, has been turning the squad into a disciplined unit that mixes flair with stubbornness.
France, after a shaky opening match, are looking to recover their reputation. They will bring their stylish midfield maestro, Paul Rineau, but the French side will need to find their rhythm to counter Morocco’s rapid counter‑attacks.
Some pundits even argue that the African nation’s success was a direct carry‑over from the lessons learned in Qatar 2022. The Moroccan federation has been investing heavily in youth development, and this semi‑final is the culmination of that strategy.
The fixture is scheduled for 9 November 2025, the fourth day of the knockout phase, at one of Brazil’s national stadiums. Fans can catch live coverage on Canal+ and stream online via the official FIFA U‑20 platform.