Ahead of the World Cup 2026 quarter-final against France, Morocco’s national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi said that the Atlas Lions will remain faithful to their playing identity, while expressing the team’s determination to continue its journey in the competition.
Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday in Boston on the eve of the match, the Moroccan coach said his players are approaching the game with confidence and ambition, while fully aware of the quality of their French opponents.
“We respect France, but we are focused on ourselves and on the way we play,” Ouahbi said, stressing that Morocco has no intention of abandoning the principles that have been the team’s strength since the start of the tournament.
The national coach also rejected any idea of sporting revenge, explaining that the Atlas Lions’ objective remains to continue their progress and go as far as possible in the World Cup.
According to Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco’s performances so far reflect the continuous development of Moroccan football on the international stage. He said that the Kingdom is now considered a serious contender and a major football nation, while reaffirming his team’s ambition to compete for the world title.
Ouahbi also highlighted the importance of emotional control in major competitions, noting that the ability to remain strong during difficult moments is a decisive factor at the highest level.
Regarding the squad, Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed that the group is in good condition, except for Ismaël Saibari, who will miss the match due to injury. He expressed confidence in the team’s collective ability to overcome this challenge.
The Atlas Lions will face France on Thursday with the aim of securing a place in the semi-finals and continuing their already historic World Cup 2026 campaign.
