Morocco’s U20 national team has written its name into football history books, becoming the first to benefit from FIFA’s new green card system at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. The Atlas Cubs, already making headlines with their fearless performances, stunned Spain and Brazil in back-to-back victories — and in doing so, showcased both their footballing prowess and their tactical awareness of the game’s newest innovation.
The defining moment came in the group stage clash against Spain. With Morocco leading 1–0 in front of over 11,000 fans at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, the referee awarded a penalty to Spain in the second half. Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi, confident in his players, reached for the green card — a bold move that would change the course of the match.
Under FIFA’s Football Video Support (FVS) system, the green card allows coaches to challenge a referee’s decision twice per match on key incidents such as goals, penalties, red cards, or mistaken identity. Unlike full-scale VAR, which requires expensive broadcast setups, FVS is designed to bring fairness to youth and smaller competitions with fewer resources.
After a quick video review, the referee overturned the penalty, cautioning the Spanish attacker for simulation instead. The decision kept Morocco in control, and the young Atlas Cubs capitalized, sealing a famous 2–0 win with goals from Yassir Zabiri and Gessime Yassine.
Just two days later, Morocco built on that momentum with a hard-fought 2–1 triumph over Brazil. The result not only stunned the South American giants but also guaranteed Morocco a place in the knockout stages with one game to spare. For a nation passionate about football, this achievement marks a new high point in its youth development journey.
The introduction of the green card could revolutionize officiating at lower-tier competitions, reducing human error without the delays associated with traditional VAR. Morocco, by being the first to benefit from it, now stands as a symbol of how innovation and ambition can go hand in hand.
Two wins in two games, history-making technology, and qualification secured — Morocco’s U20 side has turned Chile into a stage of dreams. The Atlas Cubs are no longer just participants; they are trailblazers, combining talent and tactical intelligence in a way that has the football world watching with admiration.
