Mohamed Ouabhi Says Morocco Can Be 'Unstoppable' After Reaching World Cup Last 16

Posted : 30 June 2026

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouabhi believes his side has the quality and confidence to make another historic World Cup run, insisting the Atlas Lions can become "unstoppable" when they perform at their highest level.

The African champions secured their place in the Round of 16 after overcoming the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Monterrey. Morocco controlled much of the contest and produced another impressive display to continue their strong campaign.

Ouabhi credited the team's growing belief to Morocco's remarkable journey at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the nation became the first African side to reach the tournament's semifinals. He believes that achievement transformed the mentality of Moroccan football, giving players and supporters the confidence to compete with the world's best.

The coach explained that today's generation of Moroccan footballers believes it can achieve great success, while the expectations of fans have also increased because they know the team's true potential. According to Ouabhi, those higher standards have become a source of motivation rather than pressure.

Morocco's next challenge comes against co-hosts Canada in the knockout stage, with a possible quarterfinal clash against France awaiting the winner. Despite his team's strong performances so far, Ouabhi stressed that there is no room for overconfidence.

He warned that Canada will provide a difficult test and rejected any suggestion that Morocco's path to the next round would be straightforward. His message to the squad is to approach each match individually while maintaining complete focus.

At the same time, Ouabhi believes Morocco has the ability to surpass the achievements of the country's celebrated 2022 squad. He said his players should believe that no opponent can stop them if they consistently play the style of football they are capable of producing.

However, the coach also reminded his squad that confidence must be matched by discipline and execution. He emphasized that no team is unbeatable and warned that any lapse in performance could bring their tournament to an early end. His objective is to ensure every player embraces the mentality needed to maximize the team's potential.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman also praised Morocco after the match, highlighting the rapid progress of African football on the global stage. He pointed to the continent's growing tactical development and competitive quality, while noting Morocco's ability to consistently produce talented young players who go on to succeed at leading European clubs.

Koeman added that Morocco's rise in world football is no coincidence, saying the country's player development and recent achievements fully justify its status among the strongest national teams in the world.

Mohamed Ouabhi Says Morocco Can Be 'Unstoppable' After Reaching World Cup Last 16

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