The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced today the formation of a specialized technical study group to follow the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which Morocco will host in 2026. This group, led by the former Swiss international Pascal Zuberbuhler, aims to analyze matches and monitor the technical and tactical trends throughout the tournament, which is the second edition of five consecutive editions Morocco will host. The group is also tasked with identifying emerging talents and selecting individual award winners, with all their findings to be published on FIFA’s training platform.
The group includes diverse global expertise in women’s football. Besides Zuberbuhler, FIFA’s chief football analyst and head of technical analysis projects, members include Mo Marley, Asako Takakura, and Tehana Nemcic Bojic. They bring extensive experience in playing, coaching, and youth development at the international level, ensuring a deep and comprehensive analysis of the teams’ and players’ performance during the 2026 Girls’ World Cup in Morocco.
Marley and Takakura have previously managed women’s teams across various age groups, giving them a profound understanding of the needs and challenges faced by young female players. Nemcic Bojic has unique experience in both women’s and men’s football, enriching discussions and analyses within the group. These diverse competences will contribute significantly to the group’s success and the achievement of the objectives aimed at scouting and developing talent.
It is worth mentioning that the 2026 Girls’ World Cup in Morocco will feature 24 teams, taking place from October 17 to November 7, 2026. Most matches will be held at the Rabat Women’s Football Complex, except for the two semi-final matches, highlighting Morocco’s commitment to developing women’s football and hosting global events of this scale. This hosting underscores Morocco’s position as a leading sports hub in the region.
