"The Future is in Africa": The Story Behind Morocco's Journey to the U20 World Cup Final

How Carlos Bilardo's 1975 Prophecy Predicted Morocco's Historic U20 World Cup Final Run?

"The Future is in Africa": The Story Behind Morocco's Journey to the U20 World Cup Final

Some football stories feel inevitable long before they happen. Morocco’s isn’t one of them it’s something bigger. It’s story that’s been quietly built, from street pitches in Casablanca to the global stage.

This generation’s success isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of wider wave that started with the senior team’s historic semi final run at Qatar 2022 continued with Olympic bronze in Paris and now stretches into the youth ranks where the Atlas Cubs will face Argentina in Monday’s final in Chile.

Bilardo’s Warning From the Past

Nearly half century ago, Carlos Bilardo Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winning coach saw something others didn’t.

In 1975 interview after taking his Estudiantes team to tournament in Morocco, he said:

"The future of football's here not in Europe, not in South America. In Africa. Because here, kids still play in the streets"

He explained how football'd disappeared from the avenues of Rome, Munich and Buenos Aires while in African cities and villages alike, the game still thrived barefoot and unstructured , raw, chaotic and brilliant.

"That’s where great teams are born" Bilardo said.

🔙 Carlos Salvador Bilardo, un visionario sobre Marruecos: "Acá está el futuro del fútbol".

🇲🇦 Semifinalista del Mundial 2022
🇲🇦 Finalista del Mundial Sub-20 2025.pic.twitter.com/u7Wi3J5KRF

— Samuel Vargas (@SVargasOK) October 16, 2025

Morocco’s Moment

His words feel prophetic today. Morocco’s U20s didn’t just reach the final , they beat Spain & Brazil in the group stage, edged South Korea in the Round of 16, dispatched the USA 3-1 in the quarters and held their nerve to eliminate France on penalties in the semi final.

For nation that was once considered an outsider in world football, this's no longer surprise , it’s statement. Morocco’s youth system's producing players ready to compete with the world’s best and the street born creativity Bilardo spoke of is now fused with world class infrastructure & tactical sophistication.

CARLOS SALVADOR BILARDO EN EL 2000 👔🤯

💬 "Lo dije en el 75, cuando fuimos a jugar una copa en Marruecos. Dije: 'Acá está el futuro del fútbol'"

💬 "No está en Europa, no está en Sudamérica. Porque la gente todavía juega... Acá, recorrés Capital Federal y no se juega. En el… pic.twitter.com/SN1ZolSWDS

— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) October 15, 2025