Morocco secured a second football bronze medal at the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto after the women’s Under-17 side beat Slovenia 3-1 in the third-place play-off on Monday morning.
Nessma Mouradi gave Morocco an early lead in the 14th minute, before Anissa Hamdani extended their advantage with 16 minutes of normal time remaining. Laila Boushaba then added a third in the 84th minute to put the Atlas Lionesses firmly in control.
Slovenia scored late on, but Morocco held on to complete a convincing victory and finish the tournament with a medal.
The result came 24 hours after Morocco’s men’s Under-20 team won bronze by beating hosts Italy 4-1. The back-to-back podium finishes represent a significant achievement for Moroccan football at the Games, with Youness Rabie’s women’s side following the success of the men.
Morocco’s overall campaign was particularly impressive in a five-team single group. They began with a dominant 4-0 victory over Slovenia before drawing 2-2 with Portugal, having taken a 2-0 lead in that match.
A second 4-0 win, this time against Kosovo, set up a decisive final group fixture against Italy. Morocco’s 3-1 defeat by the hosts left them third in the standings on seven points, just one behind both Portugal and Italy.
That position meant Morocco had to contest the bronze-medal match, while Portugal and Italy went on to compete for gold.
World Cup provides next target
The team’s next major challenge will be the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which Morocco will host for a second successive edition from 17 October to 7 November 2026.
Morocco also staged the global tournament last year. The hosts were beaten by Brazil and Italy in the group stage, but a victory over Costa Rica saw them finish among the best third-placed teams and qualify for the knockout rounds.
Their run ended in the last 16, where they were beaten 6-1 by Korea DPR, who went on to win the competition. Morocco will now look to improve on that campaign when they return to the tournament in the autumn.
The bronze medal in Taranto gives the squad a positive platform ahead of that home World Cup, while also ensuring Morocco leave the 2026 Mediterranean Games with two football medals.
Romain Lantheaume
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