Morocco Looks Ahead After World Cup Exit to France

A Tough Loss on American Soil

Morocco’s World Cup run ended in a 2‑0 defeat at Gillette Stadium near Boston. The match mirrored the scoreline of the semi‑final four years earlier, when the Atlas Lions faced the same opponent in Russia. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé found the net in the second half, sealing France’s advancement. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised the French side’s talent after the match, acknowledging the strength of a team that has reached the last two World Cup finals.

“We were up against a truly great side,” Ouahbi said, stressing that Morocco can still compete on the global stage. He promised the team would bounce back and continue building ahead of future tournaments. The loss ends a demanding seven‑month period that includes a World Cup run and an African Cup of Nations campaign.

Coaching Change and Recent Setbacks

Ouahbi took over in March after Walid Regragui left following Morocco’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil. That final ended in a 1‑0 extra‑time loss to Senegal, a match marred by a walk‑off protest and later controversy over a penalty. CAF eventually stripped Senegal of the title, awarding it to Morocco, though a CAS appeal remains pending. The chaotic final added to the recent frustrations for the North African nation.

Despite the setbacks, Ouahbi remains focused on rebuilding. He described Morocco as a “huge hotbed of talent” with a strong federation, emphasizing that the resources are in place to keep improving. The Belgian‑born coach sees the upcoming AFCON in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as the immediate priority, with qualification kicks off in September.

Road to 2030 World Cup

Looking further ahead, Morocco will co‑host the 2030 World Cup together with Spain and Portugal. Ouahbi views the tournament as a long‑term goal, insisting the team must keep developing to succeed on home soil. The coach highlighted the presence of exciting young players, such as French‑born midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who featured against France. While beating such strong opposition proved too much this time, the experience is expected to aid their growth.

The Atlas Lions are already plotting their return in September, intent on regaining momentum. “These players have had an extraordinary year,” Ouahbi noted, referencing the packed schedule of World Cup and AFCON qualifiers. He believes the tournament will help the squad improve and evolve. With a clear roadmap, the focus now shifts to qualifying for the next African championship and laying the groundwork for 2030.

Focus Shifts to AFCON

Before the 2030 World Cup, Morocco must navigate the 2023 AFCON in East Africa. The squad’s qualification window opens in September, giving them a concrete timeline to prepare. Ouahbi’s message is clear: stay humble, keep working, and view each match as a stepping stone. “We want to go even further and win the World Cup,” he declared, underscoring the ambition that drives the team. The upcoming months will test whether the rebuilding efforts translate into success on the continental stage.