Fresh from a standout performance in Morocco’s opening FIFA U-20 World Cup™ win over Spain in Santiago, Othmane Maamma cut a relaxed figure as he reflected on an ideal start to the tournament, both individually and collectively for the North African nation.
It was Maamma’s incisive input that allowed his nation to ice the win against Spain 13 minutes into the second half. Receiving the ball wide on the right touchline he did what he does best; with a blistering burst of pace and the ball seemingly glued to his boots, he tore into the Spanish box, dragging two markers with him. That opened the space to put a low cross into the middle that Gessime Yassine smashed in first-time to net Morocco’s second goal, virtually burying their opponent’s hopes of a comeback.
With two further strict examinations to come, against Mexico and Brazil, Group C has been attracting the ‘Group of Death’ tag, not that Maamma seemed concerned.
“Football is football. It doesn’t matter where or who you’re up against,” he told FIFA. “You just need to keep a cool head and your emotions in check. Today we did that.”
When asked how it felt to impress on the global stage against a strong opponent, the striker opened up a little bit more.
“I’m really happy my team put on a great display against Spain. I was happy with my own game too, but the truth is we’re focused on the tournament. It’s a tough group, but as I said, in the end, it’s just football.”
One of the highlights of the Moroccan display was their work out of possession; sitting in low, compact lines, intent on stifling the opponent’s possession. The plan was to break up the Spanish passing lanes and then hit on the counter, especially down the flanks with vertical transitions. That’s where the young striker’s playing style fits in perfectly.
“I like to sit on the shoulders of the defenders and exploit space. I like one-on-ones, when I can use my acceleration to gain that extra space,” he said.
That talent caught the eye of English club Watford, who swooped to prise him from Montpellier in the last transfer window.
Maamma signed a four-year contract on 11 July 2025, but has yet to feature for the English side. He made his debut for Montpellier in May 2024, at just 18 years of age. By the end of that spell he had played 14 matches in Ligue 1, starting three, with two goals and one assist to his name.
Watford view the signing of the Moroccan as a longer-term investment. Even so, the versatile attacking threat, who stands 1.82 metres tall, and is capable of finishing with either foot, looms as a key player for his nation in Chile.
That’s much to the delight of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who brings European-academy pedigree and a knack for developing young talent. Against Brazil’s Seleção, one of the highlights could well be some more explosive runs and dribbles down the right wing from Maamma.
“I speak of Brazil just as I spoke of Spain. It’s going to be another big game. We’ll do absolutely everything we can to win,” he vowed.
