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Following France’s 2-0 victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in Boston, many Moroccan supporters criticized the way Morocco’s coach Mohamed Ouahbi managed the match.
The criticism came after Ouahbi deployed a strategy that was completely different from the previous games.
At Gillette Stadium, Ouahbi’s men never really found the rhythm that had shaped their strength in previous rounds.
Faced with a well-drilled French team led by an ever-sharp Kylian Mbappé, Morocco struggled to impose its game. The Real Madrid striker opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead in the 66th, sealing the outcome of the match.
One fan said: “Beyond the lack of squad depth, Ouahbi ran into the limits of his own system and convictions, and he dragged the team down with him. Persisting with a false nine while being unable to string together five passes in your own half and offering no attacking depth at all is footballing suicide.”
Ouahbi responded to the criticism, acknowledging that France was a strong team.
“The French team forced us to defend deeper; we didn’t choose to drop back. They were simply better than us. We have to admit they were the better team, and they were quicker,” Ouahbi said following the game.
However, it is still early to make judgments about him; he has been the Moroccan national team head coach for just four months and is still working to develop his own strategy.
Despite the disappointment, Ouahbi led Morocco on a remarkable journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming the team’s place among the nations capable of competing with the world’s top sides.
“It’s true that we have now become one of the best teams in the world, and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved. One defeat cannot erase everything we have accomplished,” Ouahbi explained.
Morocco left the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the first Arab and African nation to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup quarterfinal, and the team now turns its focus to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
“The Africa Cup of Nations will be held in September, and I believe the players need to rest and catch their breath. It has been an extremely demanding season,” he added.
