Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has insisted his country’s World Cup journey is driven by the ambition to become champions rather than simply earn respect, declaring that the Atlas Lions already possess everything required to one day lift football’s biggest prize.
Speaking after Morocco’s 2-0 quarter final defeat to France, Ouahbi refused to let the disappointment overshadow the broader vision for Moroccan football, stressing that reaching the last eight should never become the team’s ultimate target.
“The objective is to win,” Ouahbi told reporters.
“We wanted to go further and win the World Cup.”
The 49-year-old admitted the defeat was painful after Morocco’s impressive run ended against one of the tournaments favorites, but insisted his players should never be satisfied merely because they had exceeded expectations.
“When it ends like today, it’s a disappointment because we lost,” he said.
“If you can’t win, you have to leave the image that you gave everything.”
That mentality, Ouahbi believes, is what will eventually transform Morocco from regular challengers into genuine contenders for the World Cup title.
Looking beyond the defeat, the former Belgium youth coach outlined why he believes Moroccan football has never been in a stronger position to compete with the world’s elite.
“We have a great pool of players,” he said.
“We have a strong federation.”
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He also praised the long term investment made in Moroccan football, pointing to the support from the country’s leadership as another pillar of the national team’s continued progress.
“His Majesty invests a lot so that we can be here today in the quarterfinals of the World Cup,” Ouahbi said.
Rather than seeing Morocco’s latest campaign as the end of a successful cycle, the coach described it as another step in a project that is still growing.
“We have everything we need,” he added.
“So we just have to not panic, question ourselves, see what we can improve and move forward.”
Ouahbi believes that ambition must remain uncompromising if Morocco are to continue closing the gap on established football powers.
While many nations celebrate reaching the knockout rounds or quarterfinals, he made it clear that Morocco’s internal expectations are significantly higher.
“I think it’s very important to try to win. To do everything to win. To believe in yourself,” he said.
The coach hopes that mentality is shared by supporters, even in the aftermath of elimination.
“I hope they are disappointed because we have to have this mentality of wanting to win,” he said.
At the same time, he urged fans not to lose faith in a generation he believes is capable of delivering major honours.
“We have a team that will make them dream again,” Ouahbi said.
“I hope it will win titles in the future. We are on the right track.”
Morocco’s run to the quarterfinals came just months after Ouahbi took charge of the national team, with the coach repeatedly highlighting the rapid progress made by his young squad throughout the tournament.
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Although France ultimately proved too strong on the night, Ouahbi sees no reason why Morocco cannot one day compete on equal terms with the world’s traditional heavyweights.
