By Morocco’s U23 National Team Gears Up for Paris 2024 Olympics
The Moroccan U23 National Team is set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Here, we’ll delve into the Atlas Lions U23 squad, their match schedule, and their formidable opponents in Group B.
Morocco’s Group in the 2024 Olympics
Morocco finds itself in Group B, sharing the stage with three other competitive nations:
Match Schedule for Morocco U23
July 24, 2024: Argentina vs. Morocco, 15:00 French time, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St-Etienne
July 27, 2024: Ukraine vs. Morocco, 17:00 French time, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St-Etienne
July 30, 2024: Morocco vs. Iraq, 17:00 French time, Allianz Riviera, Nice
Afrik-Foot took to Twitter to announce the arrival of the last player for the Moroccan Olympic team on July 20, 2024.
Morocco’s Opponents
Argentina: The Argentine squad clinched their ticket to the Olympics by defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final qualification match. With past gold medals from 2004 and 2008, Argentina aims for a third triumph in France, this time without Lionel Messi but boasting talents like Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and future Lyon player Thiago Almada.
Iraq: Iraq secured their place in the Paris 2024 Olympics by overcoming Indonesia 2-1 in an overtime thriller during the third-place match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. This marks Iraq’s sixth Olympic appearance, with their best finish being fourth in 2004.
Ukraine: Making their debut Olympic appearance, Ukraine advanced to the semifinals of the last U-21 European Championship. In March, they edged out the Atlas Lions U23 in a friendly match (1-0), setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.
Morocco’s Olympic History
The Atlas Lions U23 are competing in their eighth Olympic campaign. Their historical best was an 8th-place finish in 1972. They earned their slot in the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning their first-ever U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 2023. Under the guidance of coach Tarik Sektioui, the team’s aim is to advance as far as possible and potentially secure a medal.
