World Cup 2026: Bilal El Khannouss admits Morocco were punished for complacency against Haiti

Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannouss admitted the Atlas Lions underestimated Haiti during their dramatic 4-2 victory in the final group-stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that a lack of humility nearly cost the team an important result.

Morocco entered the game as clear favourites after opening their tournament campaign with a draw against Brazil and a narrow victory over Scotland. Haiti, meanwhile, had already been eliminated before kickoff, leading many to expect a comfortable evening for the Atlas Lions.

Instead, the Caribbean side produced one of the surprises of the group stage by scoring twice and pushing Morocco throughout the contest.

El Khannouss Reflects on Morocco’s Difficult Performance

Speaking after the match, El Khannouss acknowledged that Morocco failed to match Haiti’s intensity during several periods of the game, particularly in the opening half.

“We were not humble enough at certain moments of the game,” he said. “We did not approach every duel, cross, and defensive or attacking action with the intensity required, and Haiti punished us for that.”

The midfielder’s comments reflected the frustration inside the Moroccan camp after a performance that exposed defensive weaknesses despite the eventual victory.

Haiti’s aggressive approach and determination caused Morocco repeated problems, with the Atlas Lions struggling at times to control the rhythm of the match.

Ouahbi’s Halftime Message Changed the Match

According to El Khannouss, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed those issues directly during halftime, demanding a stronger reaction from the players in the second half.

The midfielder explained that the coach urged the squad to become more aggressive in one-on-one situations and improve the speed of their pressing and ball recoveries.

Morocco responded positively after the break, eventually pulling away to secure a 4-2 victory and qualification to the knockout stage.

The second-half improvement allowed the Atlas Lions to regain control after a tense opening period that threatened to complicate their path in the tournament.

Collective Effort Key to Morocco’s Success

Despite the difficult nature of the encounter, El Khannouss emphasized that Morocco’s strength continues to come from the collective mentality within the squad.

“Every player puts his individual qualities at the service of the team,” he said. “That helped us overcome a difficult match and earn the three points.”

The midfielder highlighted the importance of teamwork and belief in the system as Morocco prepares for the next phase of the competition.

Morocco Shift Focus to Knockout Stage

The victory allowed Morocco to finish second in Group C with seven points, behind group winners Brazil. Haiti exited the tournament despite earning praise for their spirited display against the Atlas Lions.

With the group stage now complete, El Khannouss stressed that Morocco’s attention has fully shifted toward the knockout rounds, where mistakes become far more costly.

“We know the next stage is different,” he said. “You either win and continue your journey, or you lose and leave the competition. That’s why we must stay fully focused and prepared.”

His comments underlined the lesson Morocco believes it learned against Haiti: talent alone will not be enough to progress deeper into the World Cup without discipline, focus, and humility.