The Moroccan U17 national team competing at the CAN U17 2026 includes four players from the Mohammed VI Football Academy, highlighting once again the academy’s growing influence on African football development. Ibn Salah Oualid, Boughazir Adam, Harouch Mohamed, and Ezzarky Ayman are part of a broader system that has consistently produced elite-level players across multiple age categories.
A structured development model shaping African football
Since its inauguration in 2009 by King Mohammed VI, the Mohammed VI Football Academy has emerged as one of Africa’s most advanced football training institutions. Its model integrates:
- Early talent scouting across Morocco
- High-level technical and tactical training
- Academic education and personal development
This approach has positioned Morocco as a benchmark in football structuring on the continent.
Morocco’s growing footprint in international competitions
The academy’s graduates have played key roles in Morocco’s recent football achievements:
- FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal run
- U23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023 victory
- U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 triumph
- FIFA U20 World Cup 2025 title
This consistent success reflects the depth of Morocco’s youth development system.
CAN U17 2026 as a showcase of long-term investment
The tournament, hosted in Morocco and partly staged at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, serves as a showcase of the country’s long-term investment in sports infrastructure and youth development. CAF has repeatedly praised Morocco’s model, citing its modern facilities and integrated training philosophy as a reference in Africa.
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