Morocco's U17 Women's team will be without star player Mayssa Baha at the upcoming FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. Coach Younes Rabie confirmed that Barcelona, Baha's club, has opted not to release her due to her current first-team needs. This decision comes after Baha made her official first-team debut for Barcelona against Tenerife on August 30 and has since made four Liga F appearances.
Baha's absence is a significant blow to Morocco's U17 team, as she was one of the standout players at last year's World Cup. Rabie explained that injuries within the Catalan squad played a role in the decision and that Morocco's technical staff understood the club's decision. Baha has been impressive for Barcelona, scoring in a 2-0 victory against Logrono United on September 26 and becoming the youngest goalscorer in Liga F history at 15 years, eight months, and 10 days.
The 15-year-old forward has been making waves in the football world, earning recognition as the youngest player to score for Barcelona's senior side across both men's and women's teams. Her recent selection for last weekend's Clasico against Real Madrid highlights her growing importance to the team. Baha's club status has drastically changed since last year's World Cup, with her now being a key player for Barcelona.
Morocco's U17 team is set to face a challenging World Cup campaign, with matches against New Zealand, Germany, and Argentina in Group A. The team will be without not only Baha but also Chaimae Boughazi, who is injured, and goalkeeper Manal Dupont. Nessma Mouradi is expected to join the squad on October 12 after completing club duty with Paris FC.
Despite the setbacks, Morocco is putting the final touches on their preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. The team will face Chile in a closed-door friendly on October 9 before meeting Canada two days later. Rabie and his team will be looking to make a strong impression in the World Cup, despite the absence of some key players.
Baha's situation highlights the challenges faced by national teams in competing with top clubs for young talent. Her development and growth as a player are clearly being prioritized by Barcelona, which has led to her absence from the World Cup. Morocco's U17 team will need to adapt and find ways to overcome the loss of their star player.
The FIFA U17 Women's World Cup is set to kick off soon, with Morocco's U17 team facing a tough test in Group A. The team's performance will be closely watched, and Rabie will be looking to get the best out of his squad despite the absence of key players. The World Cup will provide an opportunity for Morocco's young players to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Key points
- Mayssa Baha will miss the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup due to Barcelona's decision not to release her.
- Baha has made a significant impact for Barcelona, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Liga F history.
- Morocco's U17 team faces a challenging World Cup campaign, with matches against New Zealand, Germany, and Argentina.
