Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims to 'win the World Cup'

The North Africans sealed qualification with an impressive 4-2 victory over Haiti in their final Group C match, finishing on seven points. Morocco ended the group level with Brazil on points but finished second on goal difference after earlier drawing 1-1 with the South Americans and beating Scotland 1-0.

Despite reaching the knockout stages, Ouahbi believes his side should be thinking much bigger.

"Regardless of who we face, we have a strong squad, an excellent staff and great supporters," said Ouahbi. "We have everything we need to believe in ourselves."

The coach said Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar had changed the mentality of both his players and their opponents.

"Morocco have entered a new stage," he explained. "The players now believe in their ability, and opponents respect Morocco."

Rather than being satisfied with reaching the knockout rounds, Ouahbi insisted his team should target the biggest prize in world football.

"For that reason, our objective must be to win the World Cup," he said.

The coach was quick to stress that ambition must be matched by humility and hard work.

"Winning the World Cup requires us to respect every team we face," he added. "I trust the work we are doing."

Although Morocco scored six goals during the group stage, Ouahbi admitted there was still room for improvement after his side conceded twice against Haiti.

"We need to correct some things," he said. "After every game, we study and analyse everything that happened so we can improve."

Morocco's next match will be against the winners of Group F in Monterrey, Mexico, a city that holds a special place in the nation's football history. It was there that Morocco began their memorable 1986 World Cup campaign, becoming the first African nation to reach the knockout stages.

"I remember the 1986 World Cup," Ouahbi recalled. "I was 10 years old at the time, and the national team had a wonderful tournament."

Reflecting on the return to Monterrey, he added: "We are going back to where everything started."

For now, however, Ouahbi remains focused on preparing his team for the challenge ahead.

"The opponent and the venue do not matter to me," he said. "What matters is that we remain focused, analyse the other team well and correct everything we can within our squad."