Morocco's national football team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, expressed pride in his players following their 2-1 defeat to France in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 9, 2026. The match, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, saw Morocco take an early lead through a goal by Achraf Hakimi in the 12th minute, but France responded with goals from Kylian Mbappé (35th minute) and Antoine Griezmann (68th minute) to secure the win.
In a post-match press conference, Ouahbi stated, 'We gave everything. I am immensely proud of the Lions of the Atlas. Their journey in this tournament has been remarkable.' Morocco's campaign included a historic run to the quarterfinals, having topped Group H with wins over Croatia and Canada, and a draw against Belgium, before defeating South Korea in the Round of 16.
The team's performance in the 2026 World Cup builds on their impressive showing in 2022, where they became the first African team to reach the semifinals. Ouahbi, who took over as head coach in 2024, has been credited with maintaining the team's defensive solidity and counter-attacking style.
Despite the loss, the Moroccan squad received widespread praise for their resilience and tactical discipline throughout the tournament. The match against France was closely contested, with Morocco holding 48% possession and registering 5 shots on target compared to France's 7.
