Rabat: On the eve of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 match against the Netherlands, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed confidence, while emphasizing that this clash between two top-10 ranked teams would be decided on every level.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Ouahbi stated, “We managed the group stage well. Now, the Netherlands represents a different kind of opponent with a different profile, posing new challenges. It is up to us to find solutions to those challenges,” he said during the pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s game at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico.
Despite the difficulty of the encounter, Ouahbi assured that his squad is approaching the match with composure and ambition. “We are motivated, confident, and determined to win this match,” he affirmed.
The coach also highlighted his players’ mental strength, fueled by the pride of representing the Kingdom. “The greatest motivation is wearing this jersey and representing one’s country. With that motivation, you can mov
e mountains. We are aware of our responsibility and will give it our all. The players are fully committed and confident; they want to give everything for Morocco and the Moroccan fans. That is what we will do tomorrow.”
When asked about the “favorite” label, Ouahbi preferred to let the pitch decide. “Favorite or not, you have to prove it on the field. We are a respected team globally, but we need to back that up on the pitch.”
Acknowledging the opponent’s qualities, the Moroccan coach warned against the Dutch team’s efficiency. “The Netherlands is a very efficient team. For our part, we have worked to become more efficient ourselves. But above all, we must not give them the opportunity to display that efficiency.”
Thus, Mohamed Ouahbi expects an extremely well-rounded clash between two major footballing nations. “It is a Round of 32 match between two teams ranked in the world’s top 10. It won’t be a match that is merely physical, tactical, or technical. It will be an all-encompassing challenge,” he conclud
ed.