The U20 World Cup in Chile, running from September 27 to October 19, is set up to draw plenty of attention. Group C alone makes headlines, bringing together Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Morocco. That’s already enough to create excitement, but there’s another layer. When Spain meets Morocco on September 28, the opener could turn into something bigger than just the first game.
Two Real Castilla players, Rachad Fettal and Thiago Pitarch, are standing at a crossroads, forced to choose which national team they’ll represent. If both are called up, the choice becomes final and they might even end up facing each other right away. A competition usually meant to showcase rising talent suddenly doubles as a stage for personal identity.
Who are Fettal and Pitarch
Rachad Fettal is 20 and grew up in Torre Pacheco, a town in Spain’s Murcia region. Through his parents, he also holds Moroccan nationality. He’s already worn the shirt for youth squads of both countries. Last season, in 2024/25, he made 19 appearances with Almería, the club where he came through the ranks, before making the move to Real Castilla, the reserve team tied to Real Madrid.
Thiago Pitarch is a little younger at 18. He was born in Fuenlabrada, just outside Madrid, and qualifies for Morocco because of his grandfather. A midfielder by trade, he’s been called up several times to Spain’s U18 side and now also plays for Real Castilla.
Both are viewed by the Spanish press as important prospects for Real Madrid’s future. That alone raises the stakes, because whichever choice they make at the U20 World Cup could shape not only their careers but also their perception at home.
The weight of the decision and Yamal’s example
Stories like this aren’t rare, but they stand out when the tug-of-war involves countries looking for influence on the world stage. The most recent case is Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. With a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, he was born in Catalonia and committed to Spain early, without hesitation. Fettal and Pitarch are in a tougher spot.
Their decision isn’t only about soccer. It’s about who they are, how they want to be seen, and where they believe the better future lies. For Spain, losing talent to Morocco would sting as more than just a sporting loss. Losing young talent to Morocco would sting Spain as more than just a sporting setback. On the other side, Morocco sees bringing in players raised in Spanish academies as a statement of pride, a way to show how powerful its diaspora has become across Europe.
Meanwhile, both federations are busy behind the scenes. Spain points to the exposure that comes with UEFA tournaments and a packed schedule of big competitions. Morocco, on the other hand, promises immediate playing time and the chance to step into a leading role right away, plus the emotional tie that sometimes outweighs any long-term plan.