Kantari appointed new coach of Morocco's U17 team

The National Technical Directorate announced the appointment of Ahmed Kantari as the new coach for the Moroccan U17 national football team. This move aligns with the directorate's strategy to bolster its technical staff and leverage the experience of Moroccan football professionals, both as former players and coaches.

Kantari brings a rich background to the role. He previously represented the national team as a player and had a professional career spanning several years with various clubs, notably in France. After retiring from playing in 2019, he transitioned into coaching.

His coaching journey includes roles within the technical staff of Valenciennes FC in France, followed by a stint with Nottingham Forest in England in 2020 as an assistant coach. He then moved with his associate to Al-Duhail SC in Qatar from 2020 to 2021. Kantari returned to Valenciennes in 2021, working with the first team before coaching the reserve team from 2022 to 2024. He also briefly managed the first team on an interim basis at the end of the 2022–2023 season before being officially appointed head coach in December 2023, a position he held until November 2024.

Most recently, in December 2024, Kantari joined FC Nantes in France as part of the first-team technical staff. He then took on the role of head coach in December 2025, continuing until March 2026. Kantari holds a UEFA Pro license, the highest coaching certification recognized by the European Football Union, indicating his advanced technical and academic training.