Mohamed Ouahbi, only one slip-up against France and already doubts?

Winner of the 2025 U20 World Cup with Morocco, Mohamed Ouahbi was propelled to the senior team. For his first major tournament with the Atlas Lions, the 49-year-old coach showed some good things but also some less convincing ones. Against Canada in the round of 16 and against France in the quarterfinals, the Moroccan national team was not dominant in their play.

Morocco efficient against Canada

After eliminating the Netherlands in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Morocco was expected to dominate Canada in the round of 16. But against all odds, the Atlas Lions were not convincing in their play. The final score of 3-0 is much more flattering. Achraf Hakimi and his teammates were extremely clinical. Three goals scored from only four shots on target.

In the first half, Canada could have killed the match. The Canadians created a lot of chances. Each time, they were stopped by an exceptional Yassine Bounou, who made 3 decisive saves. 0-0 at halftime. The goal scored by Azzedine Ounahi in the 50th minute calmed the Canadian team's aggression for a while before it resurfaced. In reality, Canada could have qualified for the next round if the team had been clinical in front of goal.

Morocco won but did not convince. And Mohamed Ouahbi, in this match, was not able to find the tactical plan to trouble the Canadians. The experience of the Moroccan players and their efficiency allowed the Atlas Lions to progress. Canada had 10 shots, 3 on target, 33 touches in the opponent’s penalty area, and 64% of passes completed in the opponent's final third.

Morocco without solutions against France

Against France in the quarterfinals, Morocco was unrecognizable. Over 90 minutes, the Atlas Lions did not trouble Les Bleus at all. As a result, a 2-0 defeat.

Didier Deschamps’ strategy was very simple. France applied very high pressing to disrupt Morocco's build-up from the back. The French attackers positioned smartly as the first defensive line. This plan was executed over the full 90 minutes. Ouahbi never found a solution to bypass this high pressing, or to get the ball to the midfielders to progress the play.

A game to forget for the Atlas Lions. And the stats are telling: 5 shots, one on target, 52% possession (mostly in their own half), 0 clear chances, 8 touches in the French penalty area compared to 28 for Les Bleus. The final score of 2-0 could have been heavier if Bounou had not made 6 saves.

Mohamed Ouahbi was powerless in this match and he admitted it: “The assessment I’m making today is not about asking myself how we could have beaten France. I would not be able to find the solution, believe me… and I don't think anyone could find it.”, he said to the press this Wednesday during the review of their participation.

Ouahbi was clear in his words. He confirmed that the French team did indeed foil his plans. They were forced to play against their nature.

“I don't think we were afraid or that our game plan was different. It was the same as against Brazil and the Netherlands. I never ask my team to sit deep and defend. If we are deep, it's because the opponent forces us to be. We lacked maturity at times, even personality, to bring the ball into their half and impose our game plan. Even after talking with the players, that’s the only regret we have. We didn't have enough depth, not enough runs to stretch their block, create space, and develop our game. Then, we lacked continuity in the attacking sector.”, he explained.

Mohamed Ouahbi still has to prove his ability to make Morocco progress, a team that has risen to another level since 2022.