Morocco national football team head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said on Tuesday in Salé that the Atlas Lions' campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a source of pride given the quality of football the team displayed throughout the tournament.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura to review the Atlas Lions' participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Ouahbi said the team's ambition had been to go as far as possible in the competition. However, he noted that their quarter-final exit against France also offers an opportunity to reflect on the right questions in order to continue improving in the future.
Assessing the Atlas Lions' performance in the quarter-final against France, the coach said, "We lacked attacking penetration and could have done more to disrupt France's game. They were a very strong opponent."
"We came away from the quarter-finals with greater certainty, and that is the most important thing for us," he added, noting that this will help the team make the best choices going forward.
Ouahbi praised the players who took part in the World Cup, saying they "carried us to the quarter-finals and gave us unforgettable moments," while adding that "the players who were not selected will also play an important role in the upcoming competitions."
According to Ouahbi, "the important thing is to continue maintaining high standards in player development and in the quality of the players we recruit so that we can go even further in future competitions." He added that the Moroccan national team has the quality and performance needed to surpass its historic 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Regarding his assistant coach João Sacramento, Ouahbi confirmed that he will remain part of the Moroccan national team's technical staff, noting that the Portuguese coach "has been deeply committed and has become attached to Morocco. His work has been extremely valuable because he brings a great deal to the national team."
(MAP: 14 July 2026)
