The Atlas Lions of Morocco will next take on tournament favourites France in the quarterfinal of the 2026 World Cup after they became the first African team to reach that stage of the competition back-to-back.
And coach Mohamed Ouahbi has said the clash with France on July 9 – a repeat of the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup which France won 2-0 – will not be their bus stop.
“We want to keep going, we don’t want to stop,” he said after his team dumped World Cup co-hosts Canada 3-0 to reach the last eight.
“We want to believe in it, we want to keep the same degree of ambition, goal, confidence and humility.”
Ouahbi said Morocco are real contenders for the 2026 World Cup.
“We’re no longer a surprise, we’re real contenders, a major footballing nation,” he stated.
“It’s a source of great pride to be the coach of such a team.
“It’s only the beginning, I hope we can continue to have similar World Cup runs for many years.”
Morocco became the first African team to reach the semifinals of World Cup four years ago in Qatar.
