Morocco sets U17 World Cup history, beat New Caledonia 16–0
Morocco has set U17 World Cup history, beating New Caledonia 16–0 to qualify for the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
The Atlas Cubs secured their spot after a massive 16–0 win over New Caledonia in their final group-stage match on Sunday at Aspire Academy Pitch 1.
This result gave Morocco three points and a strong goal difference of +8, placing them third in Group A. That goal margin proved crucial in the race to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams across all groups.
Morocco’s qualification was confirmed after Costa Rica lost to Croatia and the UAE fell to Senegal in Group C. Both Costa Rica and the UAE finished with just one point, while Morocco’s three points and superior goal difference put them ahead.
Morocco also outperformed Tunisia, which finished third in Group D with a goal difference of +3. Thanks to these results, Morocco qualified without needing to wait for the final matches in other groups.
This marks a proud moment for Moroccan football. The team not only delivered a record-breaking win but also showed discipline, focus, and smart use of FIFA’s new green card system during the match.
Coach Abdelhamid Baha’s green card challenge helped confirm a key red card, giving Morocco a clear advantage.
With their place in the knockout stage now secure, the Atlas Cubs will look to build on this momentum and continue their journey in the tournament.
