Coach Mohammed Wahbi stated that the match between the Moroccan national team and Canada, in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, represents “the most important and difficult match” in the path of the “Atlas Lions” in this competition.
Wahbi said at the press conference ahead of the match, “We are ready for this confrontation. Perhaps the Canadian coach wanted to exert some pressure on us with his statements, but we will remain focused on our work.”
Wahbi pointed out that the meeting with Canada will be “one of the most important matches” in his professional career, affirming that his players will do their utmost to secure qualification.
Regarding the health status of the squad, the national coach reassured about the situation of Shadi Riad, who suffered an injury in the previous match against the Netherlands, explaining that he “is fine and participated normally in the last training sessions.”
Wahbi emphasized that the players selected to start the match against Canada will be “those who deserve it and are most capable of doing their best on the field.”
He also confirmed that the players are physically ready for this crucial encounter, adding, “Our level is improving as the matches in the competition progress. We have the necessary energy and will be ready.”
Wahbi noted that “this match is the only one that matters at the moment,” warning that “Canada is a very good team and the match will be extremely difficult.”
On another note, the national coach praised the work of the technical staff, stating, “We have an excellent team; we exchange opinions a lot and make the best decisions. Its role remains crucial in the performance of the national team.”
In comparing the current Canadian team with the one that Morocco faced in the 2022 World Cup, Wahbi believed that the current group has become “more cohesive and focused in building attacks from the back,” adding that, according to many players who participated in the 2022 World Cup, the encounter against Canada was indeed “the most difficult” in the group stage.
