Wahbi: Our Goal Remains Unchanged After World Cup Exit

Mohamed Wahbi, head coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed that the exit of the "Atlas Lions" from the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup will not lead the coaching staff to alter the roadmap set for the upcoming phase. He emphasized that the project will continue with the same ambition to compete for titles and prepare for major upcoming tournaments.

During the press conference following the match against France, Wahbi explained that the next phase will be filled with challenges, primarily the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, before heading into the continental finals. He noted that these stages represent essential steps in the preparation journey towards the 2030 World Cup.

The Moroccan coach stated: "Before reaching the 2030 World Cup, we have the Africa Cup qualifiers and then the finals of the tournament. If we want to be in the best shape for the upcoming challenges and continue the building process, we must prepare adequately and aim to win the Africa Cup."

Wahbi pointed out that the team possesses all the elements necessary for continued development in the coming years, affirming that the presence of a group of young players, along with the strength of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the significant support the sport receives from the king, are factors that contributed to the national team's current standing on the international stage.

The national coach also revealed the message he conveyed to his players after the match, explaining that he urged them to maintain their self-confidence and not succumb to the disappointment of elimination. He said: "I asked them to hold their heads high; we gave our all. Now we need to analyze what happened and continue working, practicing self-criticism, not because we performed poorly, but because we aspire to achieve more."

It is worth noting that the Moroccan national team exited the 2026 World Cup from the quarter-finals after losing to the French national team with a score of 2-0 in the match held on Thursday evening.