U17 World Cup 2025: Japan vs Morocco Preview
Today, Japan and Morocco face off in Group B’s opening match at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Morocco, led by Nabil Baha, aims to build on their recent success, including winning the U17 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Match Details
- Competition: 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup - Group B, Matchday 1
- Venue: Aspire Zone – Pitch 5 stadium, Doha, Qatar
- Referee: Andrea Colombo (Italy)
- Broadcast: Arriyadia TNT, FIFA+
Team Form and Key Players
Japan
Japan recently showed strong form by beating Australia 4-0 in a preparatory match. Their best U17 World Cup performance came reaching the quarterfinals in 1993 and 2011. Key players include midfielder Maki Kitahara (FC Tokyo), known for his attacking creativity and vision, and Hiroto Asada (Yokohama F. Marinos), who scored against Morocco in their last meeting in June.
Morocco
Morocco enters the tournament with confidence after winning both preparation games 2-0 against Switzerland and 4-3 against Uzbekistan. Their best World Cup performance was reaching the quarterfinals in 2023. Players to watch are midfielder Abdellah Ouazzane (Ajax Youth), praised for his outstanding U17 AFCON run, and forward Ziyad Baha (Calavera CF U19), who is expected to lead Morocco’s attack.
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Author’s summary: Japan and Morocco clash in a promising U17 World Cup opener, with both teams showcasing strong preparations and key players ready to make an impact on the global stage.