World Cup 2026: Mohamed Ouahbi confident Morocco can beat Brazil in tournament opener

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has declared that the Atlas Lions will approach their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the belief that they can defeat Brazil.

The North African side will begin their campaign against the five-time world champions on June 13 in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament’s opening round.

Ouahbi Targets Winning Start

Speaking ahead of the clash, Ouahbi acknowledged Brazil’s rich football history but insisted that Morocco will not be intimidated by their illustrious opponents.

The Moroccan coach stressed that his team will enter the contest with confidence and a clear objective of securing victory.

“Brazil is a footballing country. A great nation. We will have to look them in the eye and fear no one. We are going to prepare to win,” Ouahbi told beIN Sport.

No Fear of the Record Champions

While Brazil remain one of the favourites to lift the trophy, Ouahbi believes Morocco must approach the encounter with courage and belief in their own abilities.

The coach’s comments reflect the growing confidence within the Atlas Lions camp as they prepare to face one of the most successful nations in World Cup history.

Morocco will be aiming to prove that their impressive performances in recent years were no coincidence.

Building on Qatar 2022 Success

The Atlas Lions captured global attention at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar when they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Morocco eventually finished fourth, producing a series of memorable performances against some of the world’s strongest teams.

That historic achievement raised expectations for the national team and established Morocco as one of Africa’s leading football powers.

Another Historic Run in Sight

At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

The Atlas Lions will be hoping to build on their success from four years ago and secure another deep run in the competition.

A positive result against Brazil would provide the perfect start to their campaign and strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.

With confidence high and memories of Qatar still fresh, Ouahbi and his players are preparing to take on the challenge head-on as they seek another historic chapter in Moroccan football.