Morocco U20 vs Spain U20 open Group C at 2025 U-20 World Cup

Morocco U20 and Spain U20 will open Group C play at the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Sunday, September 28, meeting at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago, Chile, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern. The match kicks off a group that also features Brazil and Mexico and is an early test of each side's hopes of advancing from a tightly drawn section.

Morocco arrive in Santiago having ended final preparations with a 0-0 friendly draw against the United States earlier in September. The North African side qualified for the tournament as runners-up in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a return to the U20 World Cup after roughly two decades. The Moroccan squad is coached by Mohamed Wahbi and has drawn attention for a rising crop of young players who have recently featured on major European stages.

Spain return to the U20 World Cup for the first time since 2013 after securing their place as 2024 UEFA Under-19 European champions. Their warmup included a 1-0 friendly defeat to France in September, in which Lucas Michal scored early in the second half. Spain have a long-established youth development system and historically strong performances at youth...