Rabat – Morocco is currently operating two U17 national football teams under different head coaches, with both generations preparing for separate international competitions taking place in November.

The unusual arrangement sees Ahmed Kantari leading Morocco’s 2009-born generation at the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, while Nabil Baha manages the 2010-born players competing in the Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF) tournament in Tunisia.

The two teams are representing Morocco in overlapping competitions, reflecting a change in the international youth football calendar following FIFA’s decision to make the U17 World Cup an annual tournament.

Rather than relying on one squad to cover both competitions, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has separated the age group by birth year, allowing the country to develop and compete with two successive generations simultaneously.

Kantari leads Morocco’s World Cup campaign

Appointed in August 2026, Ahmed Kantari is responsible for Morocco’s 2009 generation, which will compete at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar from November 19 to December 13.

Kantari has selected 21 players for the tournament, bringing together talents from Moroccan academies and European clubs.

The squad includes players developed at the Mohammed VI Football Academy and RS Berkane, alongside Moroccan prospects based abroad.

Among the notable names are Ziyad Baha and Ismail El Aoud, who are expected to contribute to Morocco’s campaign.

The Atlas Cubs have been drawn in Group H alongside Spain, China, and Fiji.

The tournament will provide another opportunity for Morocco to demonstrate the progress of its youth development system on the international stage.

Baha manages the 2010 generation in Tunisia

Meanwhile, Nabil Baha is overseeing the younger generation, made up primarily of players born in 2010.

The coach, who guided Morocco to the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations title, has named a 25-player squad for the UNAF U17 tournament in Tunisia, running from November 9 to 17.

The competition also serves as a qualification route for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco will face Algeria, Egypt, and hosts Tunisia, with the results determining the teams’ qualification prospects for the continental tournament.

Baha’s squad combines domestic academy prospects with players developing in European football. The selected players include talents associated with clubs and academies such as Chelsea, AC Milan, Ajax, and RB Leipzig.

His experience with the previous generation that won the continental title gives him an important role in maintaining Morocco’s competitiveness at youth level.

Two generations, one development strategy

The separation allows Morocco to maintain competitive opportunities for two successive age groups rather than concentrating its resources on a single generation.

It also gives the FRMF the opportunity to prepare younger players for international competition while another group gains experience at the highest level of U17 football.

The two assignments carry different objectives. Kantari’s team will compete for a strong performance at the World Cup, while Baha’s players will seek to secure qualification for the next U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

With both tournaments taking place in November, Morocco’s youth football structure faces an important test of its depth, planning, and ability to develop talent across successive generations.

The arrangement also highlights the growing importance of youth competitions following FIFA’s decision to introduce an annual U17 World Cup, creating more regular opportunities for emerging footballers to gain international experience.