World Cup 2026: Summer Transfer Rumors Become a Concern for Mohamed Ouahbi

Mohamed Ouahbi has reportedly expressed concerns about the impact of the summer transfer market on his players’ concentration during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Almountakhab, Ouahbi recently addressed the issue with his squad and members of the team, warning against the distractions that can come from ongoing transfer speculation during the tournament.

The coach is said to have reminded his players of a similar experience he encountered during Morocco’s previous U20 World Cup campaign in Chile, where transfer talks and media attention threatened to divert focus away from football.

On going interest

Several Moroccan players are attracting interest from leading European clubs in recent weeks. Midfielder Ismael Saibari has been linked with German giants Bayern Munich, while Brahim Diaz continues to attract attention from multiple clubs in both Serie A and the Premier League. Meanwhile, highly rated youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi is reportedly receiving several offers following his impressive performances.

Faced with growing speculation, Ouahbi reportedly held serious discussions with his players and encouraged them to leave negotiations in the hands of their agents. He advised them either to allow their representatives to manage all transfer discussions or to postpone any major decisions until after the World Cup.

The Moroccan coach believes that strong performances during the tournament could improve the players’ positions in future negotiations and create better opportunities once the competition concludes.

Social media included

According to the same source, Ouahbi also warned players about their activity on social media during the tournament. He reportedly urged them to avoid engaging with transfer rumors and other trending stories that could affect their focus.

The coach is even said to have reminded the squad that disciplinary measures remain a possibility for players who fail to respect team guidelines.

The warning comes after an incident during Morocco’s March training camp, when Saibari, Oussama Targhalline and Eliesse Ben Seghir were reportedly sanctioned after interacting with a social media post showing Senegal players celebrating their Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

With Morocco aiming for a strong run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ouahbi appears determined to keep his squad fully focused on the tournament and avoid any distractions that could affect the team’s performances on the global stage.