Othmane Maamma knows that come Sunday evening, he could achieve something no Moroccan has ever done before. The Atlas Cubs are just 90 minutes away from winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ — a victory that would bring Morocco its first-ever FIFA title. As captain, Maamma would have the honor of lifting the trophy high into the Santiago sky, but he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“You can’t imagine it,” he told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “We’ve never done it before. Even just reaching the final — or the semi-final like 20 years ago — is something we’ll never forget.”
While this would be Morocco’s first global title, their opponents, Argentina, have been here many times before. The six-time champions have stormed through the tournament unbeaten. Maamma spoke about facing them, his favorite moments so far, and what drives this historic Moroccan run.
“It’s an incredible feeling that I wish everyone in the world could experience,” he said. “It’s magical. The deeper we go into the competition, the stronger the emotions get. Reaching the final is a huge accomplishment. I’m so proud of my teammates, the staff, and everyone supporting us.”
For Maamma, the highlight so far was making it through the group stage — especially after beating Spain and Brazil. “No one thought we’d make it this far,” he admitted. “We’ve made history by reaching the final. No Moroccan team has ever done that, so it’s a great feeling.”
The belief within the squad is strong. “As players, we stay positive,” he said. “We have a talented group and great staff. Honestly, the idea of going home hasn’t even crossed our minds. We’re focused on giving everything. Why stop now?”
When asked about the team’s success, Maamma said it comes down to heart. “We play for our people. We know they’re behind us, and that gives us energy. Wearing the Moroccan shirt is an honor — it carries weight. You have to give 100 percent every time. That’s what we’ve done since day one, and it’s working. Now we just have to keep going to the end.”
On his style of play, Maamma smiled: “I play for the love of the game — to bring joy. Football is about giving fans something to celebrate. I try to make people happy, assist my teammates, and score when I can. That goal against Brazil? That was special.”
As for the possibility of lifting the trophy, he’s both grounded and hopeful. “You can’t imagine it. It would be incredible to win and be the best team in the world. Honestly, I’m excited and really looking forward to the final.”
Facing Argentina — and following in the footsteps of football legends — only adds to the motivation. “They’re some of the best players in the world,” Maamma said. “But now it’s our turn to write history. We’re one game away, and I believe in my country.”
His focus remains clear: “The first goal is to win this tournament. After that, I’ll go back to my club and keep doing what I love. I don’t look too far ahead — I take things day by day. Right now, it’s all about the final.”