Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi says the national team is “no longer a surprise” after advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals. Speaking following the tournament’s round of 16, Ouahbi said the result reflects Morocco’s established level rather than an unexpected breakthrough, adding that qualification is only the beginning and the team aims to keep strong performances over the longer term.
Morocco reaches the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup, after defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston. Ouahbi also responds to remarks attributed to Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who suggested Morocco was the “better team” or otherwise framed the matchup in bold terms. Ouahbi pushed back, arguing that Morocco’s progress is now a product of proven credentials rather than surprise.
The sources note Morocco’s recent history, including a semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup and winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as context for why their latest quarter-final appearance should not be viewed as unexpected.
