Morocco coach Ouahbi eyes World Cup title, not just France upset

Morocco's head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has set his sights on winning the FIFA World Cup, dismissing any notion that reaching the quarter-finals is the team's peak achievement. As Morocco prepares for a challenging match against France, Ouahbi emphasized that the ultimate prize, the World Cup title, is the true bonus.

“

We will take stock at the end of the tournament. I will not say anything now because we can have more. We are not going to listen to people who will say 'what you have done up to now is wonderful'.

"We are not going to listen to people who will say 'what you have done up to now is wonderful'," Ouahbi told reporters, according to Reuters. "No, the bonus is to win the World Cup. This is how we have come this far and we will go further."

“

France are favourites but we will do everything possible to win tomorrow and qualify for the semi-finals.

Despite acknowledging France's status as favorites, Ouahbi stressed that his players must approach the game without fear. He believes the key to success lies in playing with maximum effort and without regrets, focusing on continuous improvement rather than resting on past accomplishments. "The key is to play the match without regrets. There are things to improve tomorrow. We have to play at 2,000% and not think what we have done up to now is not bad."

“

I don't like this feeling 'we have done well to get here and all the rest is bonus'. No, the bonus is to win the World Cup. This is how we have come this far and we will go further.

France enters the quarter-final having won all five of their matches, with Kylian Mbappe leading the tournament's formidable attack. Meanwhile, Morocco, ranked seventh globally, has shown impressive form, reaching the semi-finals in the previous World Cup and remaining unbeaten in their last 10 matches. However, they are still seeking their first victory against France in six encounters.

“

It is not a question of assets. The Moroccan side is evolving as is France. The key is to play the match without regrets. There are things to improve tomorrow. We have to play at 2,000% and not think what we have done up to now is not bad.