We Are Operating on Another Level": Morocco Boss Mohamed Ouahbi Hails Historic Win as Atlas Lions Roar into Round of 32
ATLANTA — The magic of the 2022 run to the semifinals seems to be alive and well in the Moroccan camp. Following an emphatic 4-2 victory over Haiti at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Atlas Lions have officially booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, continuing their impressive trajectory on the global stage.
The high-scoring victory secured Morocco’s progression from a highly competitive Group C and marked a historic milestone for the North African powerhouse: it is the first time the nation has netted four goals in a single World Cup fixture.
Under the tactical guidance of head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco has blended the veteran grit of their Qatar 2022 campaign with an exciting influx of youthful ambition. Following the final whistle in Atlanta, an elated Ouahbi was quick to praise his squad’s tactical execution and overall growth.
"We are operating on another level," Ouahbi stated, reflecting on his team's qualification for the knockout stages. He emphasized the vast progress the Atlas Lions have made in recent years, proving that their previous World Cup success was not a fluke but the foundation of a new footballing era for the nation.
The victory over Haiti brings Morocco’s recent World Cup record to an impressive five wins across the last two editions of the tournament, firmly establishing them as one of the most formidable non-European or South American sides in the competition.
For the veterans who orchestrated the historic 2022 run, the current campaign feels both familiar and evolved. Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, an instrumental figure in Morocco's recent international successes, believes the squad is continuously adapting and is fully prepared to challenge the world's elite.
"It's something really special and, above all, it's exciting. I think as a team we're improving, although that doesn't always show in the results, because winning depends on so many things," Bounou told FIFA.
Highlighting the unpredictability of tournament football, the veteran shot-stopper remained pragmatic but hopeful. "Hopefully, luck will be on our side, and we can go a long way... I think that in the matches we have played, you can see the players playing with a lot of heart, just as we did in 2022," he noted. "The team is still the same. We, more experienced players, have to keep passing that on and hope the results go our way."
While familiar faces like Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi, and Bilal El Khannouss anchor the squad, the 2026 roster reflects a massive generational shift. Remarkably, fourteen players in the current squad were born in the year 2000 or later.
Ouahbi’s deep understanding of this younger demographic is no coincidence. Having guided Morocco to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title in 2025, the head coach has seamlessly transitioned several of his youth champions into the senior setup.
A prime example is 23-year-old Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad. Making his senior World Cup debut, Riad has been a revelation, starting all three group-stage matches against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
"We're doing some great things, and we're all pulling in the same direction. I'm really happy and proud of the team," Riad shared after the victory. Acknowledging the pressure of following up the 2022 campaign, he added, "They did a great job in 2022, and it means we have some fantastic role models. They are the players we look up to. We don't want to fall short of that performance - we want to be like them. We are a young team, but a very ambitious one."
With their Group C objectives achieved, the ambitious, youthful, and highly technical Moroccan squad now shifts its focus to the grueling knockout stages of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Morocco’s 4-2 demolition of Haiti is a massive statement of intent. Many pundits wondered if the Atlas Lions could replicate their 2022 magic without former manager Walid Regragui, but Mohamed Ouahbi has brilliantly answered those doubts. By successfully integrating young, high-potential talents like Chadi Riad with seasoned veterans like Yassine Bounou, Ouahbi has created a highly dynamic, aggressive squad capable of scoring historic goal tallies. If this team can maintain their current level of ambition and tactical discipline, no team in the Round of 32 will want to face them.