World Cup 2026: Mohamed Ouahbi calls for respect and focus as Morocco brace for Netherlands clash

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has urged his players and supporters to stay grounded and let their performances do the talking ahead of their high-stakes World Cup Round of 32 meeting with the Netherlands.

Speaking on the eve of the knockout tie, Ouahbi emphasised unity, discipline, and national pride as Morocco continue their push in the tournament.

“We want people to trust us. We know the responsibility we carry,” he said. “Everything we have done from the beginning has been for the country, and tomorrow we want to prove it on the pitch.”

The Atlas Lions have earned widespread admiration for their performances so far, but Ouahbi was quick to dismiss any talk of reputation carrying them through against a seasoned Dutch side.

“I don’t care about being named as nominees to win,” he said. “Respect is good, but it must be earned on the field, not at press conferences.”

Morocco’s journey to the knockout stage has been marked by standout moments, including a memorable display against Brazil that further strengthened belief within the squad. Ouahbi pointed to that performance as evidence of the team’s progress on the global stage.

“Getting here is the result of many years of hard work,” he noted. “We had one of the most beautiful World Cup matches against Brazil, and tomorrow will be another big one.”

The coach also addressed broader concerns about the expanded World Cup format, acknowledging debates over fairness while refusing to dwell on them ahead of such an important fixture.

“We knew the rules after the draw, so we won’t complain,” Ouahbi said. “Maybe it’s not the ideal situation, but this is FIFA. The system can improve with time.”

With both sides eyeing a place in the last 16, Morocco head into the clash seeking to extend their historic run, while the Netherlands aim to assert their pedigree in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the round.