Morocco will, for the second year running, be at the centre stage of hosting the coveted FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

This is part of FIFA’s expanded format, which increased the field from 16 to 24 teams and moved the competition to an annual schedule from 2025.

Therefore, Morocco was selected in 2024 to host five consecutive editions of the tournament from 2025 through 2029.

Ahead of this year’s edition, Morocco wants to make home advantage ahead, by progressing to the latter stages of the competition.

Coach Younes Rabie has expressed the team’s readiness, indicating the target is to do better than last year.

“The team is ready, and the players are in the perfect shape to perform and do better than last year,” he said after the two friendly games against Chile and Canada.

Last year, Morocco came third in Group A and qualified for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams but lost to North Korea 6-1 at the round of 16.

This year, the North African nation is in Group A alongside New Zealand, whom they face in the opening match on 17th October, Germany and debutants Argentina.

The tournament, which will be the 10th edition, is slated to run between October 17 and November 8, with 24 teams taking part.

All matches up to and including the semifinals will be played across four pitches in Rabat at the Mohammed VI Sports Complex, while the bronze medal and final games will be played at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

Africa is represented by five teams, namely: hosts Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia.

Groups

Group A

• Morocco
• Argentina
• Germany
• New Zealand

Group B

• North Korea
• Nigeria
• Poland
• Puerto Rico

Group C

• Brazil
• Canada
• Ghana
• Norway

Group D

• France
• Japan
• Venezuela
• Zambia

Group E

Group F

• Australia
• Chile
• Mexico
• Spain