Morocco’s U17 national team will compete in the 2026 Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF) qualifying tournament in Tunisia, with the young Atlas Lions aiming to secure a place at the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan squad was announced by head coach Nabil Baha, who selected 25 players for the competition. The tournament will take place from 10 to 16 November 2026 in Sousse and Monastir, following Libya’s withdrawal and the resulting revision of the schedule.
Morocco U17 UNAF qualifiers 2026: tournament format and teams
The revised competition features four national teams: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. Libya withdrew, prompting UNAF to update the original tournament format and calendar. The teams will play a three-round league programme, with Morocco facing each of the other participants once. The top two teams in the final standings will qualify for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The matches are being staged in the Tunisian cities of Sousse and Monastir. The tournament is an important test for the young players, who will need to deliver consistent performances across three matchdays against familiar North African opponents.
Morocco U17 fixtures: dates, opponents and kick-off times
According to the official schedule graphic issued for the revised tournament, Morocco’s three matches are:
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (Tunisia time) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 November 2026 | Algeria vs Morocco | 14:00 | Sousse Olympic Stadium |
| 13 November 2026 | Egypt vs Morocco | 17:00 | Sousse Olympic Stadium |
| 16 November 2026 | Tunisia vs Morocco | 14:00 | Sousse Olympic Stadium |
Kick-off times and venues above are transcribed from the revised UNAF fixtures graphic supplied to Lions12. Supporters should follow UNAF and the participating federations for any last-minute changes.
Nabil Baha names Morocco’s 25-player U17 squad
Head coach Nabil Baha has called up 25 players for the UNAF tournament. The selection combines players developing in Moroccan academies and clubs with young talents attached to teams across Europe. The list includes representatives of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, FUS Rabat, Renaissance Berkane and Raja Club Athletic, alongside players based in France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, England, Italy and Spain.
Morocco U17 squad for the UNAF qualifiers
- Iyad Hamzi
- Younes Felloula
- Mohamed Reda Souni
- Rayan Saloulou
- Damine El Fayda
- Ilyass Bounahr
- Jad Jamila
- Adam Souna
- Haytam Arbai
- Akram Jadid
- Othmane Kam
- Youssef Lahnich
- Hatim Dabdoubi
- Sami Idahmad
- Noham Jordan Varela
- Rayan El Arfani
- Rayan Kharmoud
- Ilyas Houira
- Mohammed Amine Tatuh
- Ait Hammou Aymane
- Bilal Hassan Shah
- Mohamed Reda Akahrir
- Ilyes Bennane
- Amine Bekkari
- Dani Mohammed Boucht a
The squad list above follows the names displayed in the official announcement graphic. Player transliterations may differ between Arabic, French and English sources; club affiliations are best checked against the federation’s original squad release.
A North African test on the road to the 2027 U17 AFCON
The UNAF qualifiers give Morocco three demanding fixtures in a compact schedule. The opening match against Algeria is an immediate regional test, followed by a meeting with Egypt before the young Atlas Lions close their campaign against hosts Tunisia. With only three matchdays, every point and every goal could prove important in the final table.
For the coaching staff, the tournament is also an opportunity to assess the squad in competitive international football. Players drawn from domestic academies and European development systems will need to adapt quickly, work collectively and show discipline in both phases of the game. Finishing in the top two is the target that would secure Morocco’s qualification for the 2027 continental finals.
Follow Morocco youth football with Lions12
Follow Lions12 for updates on the Atlas Lions and Morocco’s youth national teams. Visit our Atlas Lions coverage hub for national-team news, and read our report on the Morocco U17 women’s team for more coverage of the country’s next generation of football talent.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 UNAF U17 qualifiers being played?
The revised tournament runs from 10 to 16 November 2026 in Tunisia.
Which teams are competing?
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt are taking part. Libya withdrew, and the schedule was revised.
Who is Morocco U17’s coach?
Nabil Baha is the head coach who selected the 25-player squad for this UNAF tournament.
Who will Morocco play?
Morocco will face Algeria on 10 November, Egypt on 13 November and Tunisia on 16 November.
What does Morocco need to qualify for the 2027 U17 AFCON?
The top two teams in the UNAF qualifying standings will earn places at the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Official sources
- Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF) – official Facebook page
- Royal Moroccan Football Federation – U17 national-team announcements
- SNRT News – Nabil Baha names 25 players for the UNAF tournament
- Le360 – Morocco U17 squad for the UNAF tournament
- Zawaya24 – Revised UNAF U17 qualifying schedule after Libya’s withdrawal
Editorial note: The article reflects the revised four-team tournament after Libya’s withdrawal. The squad and coach are attributed to the current Morocco U17 call-up announced by Nabil Baha. The fixture dates and times follow the updated UNAF graphic.