Three penalty saves in an under-17 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal put Rayan Yaakoubi on the map, Foot Mercato reported.
That performance gave the young goalkeeper lasting legitimacy despite a semifinal penalty shootout loss to Senegal.
On y va pour atteindre le top, mais c’est l’objectif de tous les joueurs qui jouent une Coupe du Monde,
Yaakoubi stated as the team prepares to travel to Qatar for the FIFA U17 World Cup. Following the tournament, he is set to return to Belgium, where he trains with the reserve squad of Gent.
Reading Strikers and Penalties
Yaakoubi stands 1.88 meters tall and plays as a right-footed goalkeeper for Gent in Belgium, where he trains with the reserve squad. He began his career as an outfield player before moving between the posts almost by accident.
The player stated that he reads trajectories well and likes to get inside the minds of opposing penalty takers. He watches how a kicker places the ball and approaches the strike to determine which foot and side will be used.
Ahmed Kantari Names 21-Player Squad for FIFA U17 World Cup
Head coach Ahmed Kantari named a 21-player squad for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, according to AfricaFoot. That roster features three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards. Fourteen of the selected players compete for clubs across France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and England.
AfricaFoot noted that France serves as the primary European talent pipeline with six players from clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, FC Metz, Toulouse, OGC Nice, Marseille, and Angers. Kantari faces a selection puzzle at goalkeeper with Yaakoubi joined by Paris Saint-Germain’s Adam Mouak and Mohamed Arouch of the Mohamed VI Academy.
The squad also includes midfielders Bilal Affas and Mohamed-Amine Obakrim, both representing Renaissance sportive de Berkane in Morocco, alongside forward Ibrahim Rabbaj from Chelsea FC in England.
Group Stage Opponents in Qatar
Morocco enters Group H of the tournament alongside Spain, Fiji, and China. The team secured qualification by reaching the quarterfinals of the continental championship held in Morocco. Yaakoubi described Kantari as a very ambitious coach who leads a solid group. The goalkeeper reported feeling physically and mentally prepared after months of preparation ahead of the tournament.
Morocco previously reached the quarterfinals of the tournament during the previous edition held in Qatar in 2025.
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