Morocco claimed the U20 World Cup title by defeating Argentina 2–0 at the Julio Martínez Prádanos National Stadium in Santiago, Chile. As the second African nation ever to win in this category, Morocco celebrated as one: fireworks, car horns, and red-and-green flags lit up cities and villages alike, honoring a golden generation shaped by strong youth development and crowned at the highest level.
In Fez, joy swept through cafés and boulevards. Songs, dances, and spontaneous parades celebrated the Lion Cubs, with the names Zabiri, Maamma, and Baouf chanted in unison. Supporters, perched on balconies or gathered on terraces, kept the party going late into the night, transforming the Idrissid city into an open stage of national pride.
Rabat awoke to massive crowds along Mohammed V Avenue. Men and women, young and old, hailed an extraordinary run against Spain, Brazil, France, and finally Argentina. “The Lion Cubs showed the whole world their talent and their ability to achieve greatness,” said Othman (21). Hanane (19) thanked the team for “bringing joy to our hearts,” while Soufiane (16) expressed his pride and little Aya (8) said she was happy and proud of Morocco’s new place among the world’s great footballing nations.
From Casablanca to Settat, the region pulsed in red and green. In Casablanca, from Zerktouni to the Corniche, from Derb Sultan to Hay Hassani, the city stayed awake all night — time stood still for a celebration of Moroccan youth and the rise of national football. “This title is more than a trophy; it’s a source of national pride and the result of a visionary strategy,” summed up one supporter.
A similar atmosphere reigned in El Jadida, which witnessed an unprecedented wave of euphoria — a sea of flags accompanied the songs; in Settat, Hassan II Avenue became a stage of jubilation, symbolizing a confident and ambitious generation.
In Guelmim, Bir Anzaran Square and Mohammed VI Avenue came alive for Yassir Zabiri, the double scorer in the final, cheered alongside Othmane Maamma and Ismael Baouf. Tangier, meanwhile, celebrated through the night along Mohammed VI Avenue and the Corniche, to the sound of vuvuzelas and skies lit with fireworks. Moroccans and foreign visitors joined in the festivities, with a fan from Europe praising the vision of the Lion Cubs and the touch of coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
In Meknes, packed crowds raised their phones to capture the moment. Across the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region — in Khouribga, Tadla, Fqih Ben Salah, and Khénifra — parades, ululations, and fireworks marked a “moment etched forever.”
In Errachidia, cries of “Dima Maghrib!” (“Always Morocco!”) echoed until dawn; in Marrakech — from Guéliz to Hassan II and Abdelkrim El Khattabi avenues — the Dakka Marrakchia drum rhythms led the celebration. Everywhere, the same story unfolded: the culmination of years of investment, with the Mohammed VI Academy as a cornerstone, and the powerful image of a Morocco united by the success of its youth.
