Morocco's journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end in the quarter-finals as they faced a 2-0 defeat against France at Boston Stadium. Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed his disappointment following the match, noting France's dominance, particularly in the first half.

France's First Half Control

Ouahbi highlighted that Morocco struggled to cope with France's superior possession and attacking prowess during the opening half. “We are disappointed but the first half was very difficult, the French were very good with the ball,” he remarked. He pointed out that France effectively exploited the flanks and the center, creating significant challenges for his team. The coach acknowledged that Morocco's transitions after regaining possession were inadequate, allowing France to dictate the game's tempo comfortably.

Accepting Defeat and Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, Ouahbi praised the quality of the French side, admitting they created more scoring opportunities and deserved the win. He noted that Morocco lacked creativity and sharpness when in possession, urging his players to accept the defeat with a broader perspective. “We have to recognise that they’re a great team. They have excellent players and had better goal-scoring opportunities,” he stated. He reflected on the difficulty of discussing regrets so soon after the match but emphasized the importance of acknowledging their achievement in reaching the quarter-finals.

Having reached the semi-finals in the previous World Cup in Qatar, where they also lost to France, Ouahbi remains optimistic about Morocco's potential. He believes the team can continue to improve and compete with the best, stating, “It is clear that today, France was stronger, but we are able to compete and to progress even further.” He encouraged his players to maintain their confidence and focus on self-assessment for future tournaments.