Rabat – Moroccan international Samir El Mourabet hailed his side’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals following a decisive 3-0 triumph over Canada.
The 20-year-old player said that a motivating halftime speech from coach Mohamed Ouahbi gave the squad the necessary push to break the deadlock and secure the comfortable victory.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, El Mourabet broke down how the match unfolded and commended the squad’s mindset from the opening whistle.
“We started the match well, with a good level of aggressiveness and a strong desire to win. After that, we went into the dressing room at halftime, and the coach gave us a speech. We came out for the second half strong and excelled by scoring three goals,” the Moroccan player said.
Realizing the weight of the accomplishment, the young player opened up about the emotional impact of booking a spot in the final eight of the tournament.
“We feel a great deal of pride and so much happiness. It’s not every day that we get to experience moments like these,” he added.
Looking ahead to the next challenge, the Moroccan player emphasized the importance of enjoying the major achievement while maintaining their winning momentum.
“A World Cup quarter-final is something we must enjoy, and I hope we can keep going this way,” he concluded.
Morocco’s historic World Cup campaign continues next Thursday at Boston Stadium, where they are set to meet powerhouse France in a highly anticipated quarterfinal fixture. The Atlas Lions will be aiming to keep their remarkable tournament run alive against the former world champions.
