Morocco target progress after earning point against Brazil in World Cup debut

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team was disappointed not to secure victory after a 1-1 draw with Brazil national football team in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a strong overall performance.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Ouahbi acknowledged the difficulty of facing a Brazil side led by renowned coach Carlo Ancelotti, describing the encounter as one of Morocco’s toughest challenges.

The Moroccan coach said his players adhered to the tactical plan and delivered what was expected of them on the field. However, he noted that the quality and experience of the opposition made the contest particularly demanding.

Ouahbi stressed that Morocco entered the match with the intention of collecting all three points and that several players felt the victory had slipped away after the final whistle.

“We came into the game to win,” he said, adding that the squad’s disappointment reflected its growing ambition on the international stage.

The coach also praised the impact of substitute players who entered during the match and highlighted the role played by difficult weather conditions and high temperatures. He noted that several members of the squad were making their first World Cup appearances, which added another layer of complexity to the occasion.

Looking ahead, Ouahbi said Morocco must improve certain aspects of its performance before its next Group Stage match against Scotland national football team and find solutions that can help the team perform more effectively in the tournament.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi echoed his coach’s assessment, saying the draw against one of the tournament favorites demonstrated both the team’s potential and the areas that still require improvement.

Hakimi described Brazil as one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup title and said Morocco had produced a solid performance against a high-caliber opponent.

“We have to continue improving from one match to the next,” Hakimi said. “There are positive things to build on, but there are also mistakes we need to correct.”

The captain emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s positive momentum while learning from shortcomings revealed during the opener.

Hakimi concluded by reaffirming the squad’s commitment to carrying the same fighting spirit into its second group-stage match against Scotland, a fixture that could prove crucial to Morocco’s hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.