The Moroccan U-17 women's national team concluded their journey in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, hosted in Morocco, after a challenging match against North Korea in the round of 16. The game took place on Wednesday evening at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé. Despite their determination to advance to the quarterfinals and create an unprecedented achievement, the Moroccan team faced a tough opponent in North Korea, who are the reigning champions and topped Group E.
North Korea dominated the match from the start, with midfielder Jong Hyang-yu scoring the first goal in the sixth minute. The Asian team's pressure continued, and Won-sim Kim scored a hat-trick in the 33rd, 41st, and 43rd minutes, giving North Korea a 4-0 lead by halftime. Morocco had qualified for the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage, but their opponents' experience and skill proved too strong.
In the second half, North Korea continued to press, and Gyong Oi-ri scored the fifth goal in the 54th minute. Kim Kyong-im added a sixth goal in the 62nd minute, securing the win for North Korea. Despite the challenging match and the significant deficit, the Moroccan players showed resilience and determination until the end, attempting to reduce the margin but ultimately falling short.
The 6-0 loss marked the end of Morocco's campaign in the tournament. This was not the first time the two teams met in the round of 16; in the previous edition, North Korea also won 6-1 against Morocco. The Moroccan team's performance in this World Cup, however, was notable, especially considering they were the host nation.
The Moroccan team had been preparing for this match, with coach Youssef Rabbie emphasizing the importance of mental preparation and strategy. Despite not achieving the desired result, the team's participation in the World Cup was seen as a valuable experience for the players.
Morocco's U-17 women's team will look to build on their experience in this tournament. The team's ranking and performance have been steadily improving, with Morocco currently ranked 64th in the world, first in the Arab world, and fourth in Africa.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup has seen strong performances from top teams, and the competition is expected to intensify as the tournament progresses. Morocco's hosting of the event has been seen as a positive step for women's football in the country and the region.
Key points
- Morocco's U-17 women's team lost to North Korea 6-0 in the World Cup round of 16.
- The Moroccan team had been preparing for the match, emphasizing mental preparation and strategy.
- Morocco is currently ranked 64th in the world, first in the Arab world, and fourth in Africa.
