Results

U23 International 06/04 19:00 - Morocco U23 v Belgium U21 D 2-2
U23 International 03/22 18:00 - Morocco U23 v Ukraine U21 L 0-1
U23 International 11/21 14:00 - Morocco U23 v USA U23 W 1-0
U23 International 11/16 14:00 - Denmark U21 v Morocco U23 L 3-0
U23 International 10/16 19:00 - Morocco U23 v Dominican Republic U23 W 3-1
U23 International 10/12 19:00 - Morocco U23 v Iraq U23 L 0-1
U23 International 09/07 19:00 - Morocco U23 v Brazil U23 W 1-0
U23 Africa Cup of Nations 07/08 20:00 1 Morocco U23 v Egypt U23 D 1-1
U23 Africa Cup of Nations 07/04 20:00 2 [1] Morocco U23 v Mali U23 [2] D 1-1
U23 Africa Cup of Nations 06/30 20:00 3 [1] Morocco U23 v Congo U23 [4] W 1-0
U23 Africa Cup of Nations 06/27 20:00 2 [1] Morocco U23 v Ghana U23 [2] W 5-1
U23 Africa Cup of Nations 06/24 20:00 1 Morocco U23 v Guinea U23 W 2-1

The Morocco national under-23 football team, also known as the Morocco Olympic football team, represents Morocco in international football competitions such as the Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except during the Olympic Games where up to three overage players is allowed. The team is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

History

Summer Olympics (1964–2004)

Morocco's first appearance was in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In a group that consisted of three teams following North Korea's withdrawal. They suffered a heavy 0-6 defeat to Hungary - Morocco's all-time heaviest defeat to date -, then lost 1-3 to Yugoslavia and were eliminated.

Their second appearance was supposed to be during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico but Morocco refused to allow its team to play against Israel in Group C due to political issues. They were eventually replaced by Ghana which lost 2-3 on aggregate to Morocco in the last qualifying round.

In the 1972 edition in Munich, Morocco reached the second round as runners-up in their group with 3 points following a goalless draw against the United States, a resounding 6-0 win against Malaysia and a 0-3 loss to hosts West Germany. In the second round, The Atlas Lions lost all three games against Denmark, Poland and the Soviet Union. However, it was the best performance of the Atlas Lions at the Olympic football tournament until 2024.

Morocco came extremely close to reaching the quarter-finals in the 2004 Summer Olympics, narrowly missing out on goals scored that favored Costa Rica. Morocco were 2-1 ahead in their final group game against already-qualified Iraq thanks to goals scored by Bouabid Bouden and Salaheddine Aqqal. However, in the other game, Costa Rica's Pablo Brenes scored the fourth goal in added time to seal a 4-2 win over Portugal and qualification at Morocco's expense.

First Continental Final

During the inaugural 2011 CAF U-23 Championship held in Morocco. The host nation coached by Pim Verbeek, recorded narrow 1-0 victories against both Nigeria and Algeria, before losing to Senegal. In the semi-finals, Morocco successfully secured a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by defeating Egypt 3-2 in a tense game which also saw Abdelaziz Barrada scoring the fastest goal in the history of the tournament to date after just 30 seconds. This marked the return of the Atlas Lions to the Olympic football tournament having missed out on qualifying in 2008. However, they faced a setback when they suffered a 2-1 defeat against the surprising contender, Gabon, in the final held at the Marrakech Stadium.

Golden generation (2022–)

On 7 July 2022, Morocco were awarded the hosting rights of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the return of the U-23 team to the competition for the first time in 12 years. Their campaign kicked off on a positive note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Guinea, followed by a resounding 5-1 triumph over Ghana, emerging as group winners and securing a place in the semifinals with one game to spare. They went on to win the semi-final against Mali and qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. They defeated Egypt 2-1 in the final to win their first ever continental title. The team was congratulated by King Mohammed VI for their achievement.

On 29 February 2024, Tarik Sektioui was appointed head coach of the men's Olympic squad by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. In Paris 2024, Morocco debuted in group B with a 2–1 victory against Argentina, followed by a 2–1 defeat against Ukraine and a 3–0 victory against Iraq. Topping their group with six points ahead of Argentina on the head-to-head record, Morocco thus reached the knockout stage for the first time since 1972. They defeated the United States 4-0 in the quarterfinals, reaching the semifinals for the first time ever. In the semifinal, Morocco lost 2–1 against Spain. They then won 6–0 against Egypt in the third place to win the bronze medal.

The Morocco U23 national soccer team represents Morocco in international competitions for players under the age of 23. Known for their vibrant playing style and strong team spirit, the squad is a crucial part of the country's soccer development program, aiming to nurture young talent and prepare them for future senior national team duties.

The team has made significant strides in recent years, showcasing a blend of technical skill, athleticism, and tactical awareness. With a focus on youth development, Morocco U23 has produced several players who have gone on to achieve success in both domestic and international leagues.

Competing in various tournaments, including the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations and Olympic qualifiers, the Morocco U23 team is known for its passionate fan base and the rich soccer culture that thrives in the country. The team's colors, often represented by the iconic red and green, symbolize the pride and heritage of Moroccan soccer.

Under the guidance of dedicated coaching staff, the Morocco U23 team continues to strive for excellence, aiming to leave a lasting mark on the international stage while fostering the next generation of Moroccan soccer stars.