Jakarta, ThedailyID — Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised Kylian Mbappe and France after his team exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 quarterfinal defeat.
Ouahbi said Morocco gave everything to reach the semifinals but ultimately came up against a superior opponent.
“Of course we wanted to win today. We did everything we could, but we faced a very difficult opponent. It’s disappointing, but we will continue working hard for the future,” Ouahbi said, as quoted by FIFA.
He also emphasized that Morocco’s journey carried significance beyond national pride.
“We know we represent more than just one country. We represent the people of Morocco and many countries across Asia and Africa. Many people see themselves in this team, and we will keep working to win this title in the future,” he said.
Ouahbi admitted France controlled much of the first half. However, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, kept Morocco in the match by saving a penalty before halftime.
The coach believed Morocco improved after the break. Even so, he said Mbappe’s individual brilliance ultimately decided the contest.
“We have to admit we faced a very strong team. We struggled in the first half, and Bono’s penalty save kept us alive,” Ouahbi said.
“In the end, Mbappe’s brilliant individual quality made the difference. We also need more depth on the bench to deal with injuries, suspensions, and fatigue. Of course, we are disappointed.”
Despite the defeat, Morocco completed another memorable World Cup campaign and vowed to build on the experience for future tournaments.
