Morocco head coach Mohammed Ouahbi said on Friday that the Atlas Lions will approach their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Brazil with confidence, insisting that the team must live up to its new status in world football while maintaining respect for the five-time world champions.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference in New Jersey ahead of Saturday's clash at MetLife Stadium, Ouahbi said his players were in high spirits following their recent game against Norway and were eager to take another step forward against one of football's most storied nations.
"The players' morale is high," Ouahbi said. "We played a good match against Norway and we hope to be even better against Brazil."
Reflecting on the Brazilian team, the Moroccan coach praised the impact of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, saying the veteran tactician had brought greater structure and organization to the Seleção.
"I have enormous respect for Carlo Ancelotti," Ouahbi said. "Some people say this is not the Brazil we knew in the past, but it is still Brazil."
Ouahbi's comments came as Morocco prepares for one of the most anticipated matches of the opening round of the tournament, with the Atlas Lions entering the competition carrying heightened expectations following their rise on the international stage in recent years.
The coach also addressed the absences of defender Nayef Aguerd and winger Abde Ezzalzouli, both of whom were ruled out of the World Cup squad due to injury.
According to Ouahbi, the decisions were taken in consultation with the players and with the interests of the team in mind.
"We knew injuries could happen at any moment," he said. "We have called up other players capable of filling those gaps."
He paid special tribute to Aguerd, who had worked hard to recover in time for the tournament but ultimately accepted that he was not fully fit.
"It is particularly unfortunate for Nayef Aguerd because he made a huge effort to return," Ouahbi said. "But he put the collective interest first by giving his place to a player who was physically more ready."
Despite the personnel changes, the Moroccan coach insisted that the technical staff has no intention of making major tactical adjustments ahead of the Brazil encounter.
"We prepared for this tournament with a clear identity," he said. "We will not make sweeping changes. We will keep our system and our way of playing."
Ouahbi stressed that the psychological aspect would be crucial when facing a team of Brazil's stature, warning against showing excessive deference to an opponent with such a rich footballing history.
"Respect is necessary, but it should not be exaggerated," he said. "Morocco has reached a different status today and we have to be worthy of our new position."
In separate remarks to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, Ouahbi went even further, saying Morocco would enter the match with a clear ambition to win.
"Brazil remains Brazil and naturally we have great respect for our opponent, which continues to be a reference in world football," he said. "But Morocco has changed."
"Today, even when the opponent is a giant, we approach these matches differently, with respect, but also with a firm determination to win."
Ouahbi argued that Morocco is now reaping the rewards of years of investment and development in football, expressing pride that the Kingdom is increasingly viewed as a major football nation on the global stage.
"But what people think about us is no longer the most important thing," he said. "What matters now is continuing to work and proving it on the pitch. That is where everything will be decided."
Morocco opens its World Cup campaign on Saturday against Brazil in a match expected to test just how far the Atlas Lions have progressed as they seek to establish themselves among football's elite.
