Morocco retain faith in Mohamed Ouahbi after World Cup quarter-final run

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has reaffirmed its confidence in head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, confirming he will remain in charge of the Atlas Lions despite their quarter-final exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the federation’s executive committee on Thursday under the leadership of FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa, with officials describing Morocco’s tournament as a success and pledging their support for the national team’s long-term development.

Federation hails Morocco’s World Cup campaign

Morocco’s World Cup journey ended with a 2-0 defeat to France in the quarter-finals, denying the Atlas Lions a second successive appearance in the last four.

However, the FRMF said the team’s performances reinforced Morocco’s growing status among the world’s leading football nations.

In a statement released after the meeting, the federation described the campaign as “positive and honorable,” noting that reaching the quarter-finals came just four years after Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022.

Focus turns to future success

The executive committee said Morocco’s priority is now to build on the progress achieved in recent years while continuing to improve ahead of future continental and international tournaments.

Federation officials stressed the importance of learning from the World Cup experience as part of a broader long-term football development strategy.

They also pointed to Morocco’s rise from 84th to sixth in the FIFA World Ranking, alongside the consistent performances of the country’s national teams across different age categories, as evidence of the success of that strategy.

Lekjaa defends Atlas Lions

FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa praised the commitment shown by the Morocco squad throughout the tournament and defended the players following criticism that emerged after the defeat to France.

He expressed regret over what he described as criticism and rumours directed at the team, insisting the players had displayed professionalism and remained fully committed to representing their country.

The executive committee also called for the Atlas Lions to be protected from “malicious rumors and false information,” saying a calm and stable environment would allow Ouahbi and his players to continue their work under the best possible conditions.

Continuity for Morocco’s long-term vision

By retaining Ouahbi, the FRMF has opted for continuity as Morocco seeks to build on another impressive World Cup campaign.

The decision reflects the federation’s belief that stability will help the Atlas Lions maintain their position among the world’s leading teams as they prepare for the next phase of their long-term football project.