Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledges that Morocco did not reveal their authentic character during the World Cup quarter-final loss to France.

Morocco's head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has conceded that the Atlas Lions were not at their peak against France in the quarterfinals. The North African powerhouse saw their remarkable World Cup run concluded with a 2-0 loss to France in the last eight, marking the end of a memorable journey that sparked immense excitement among Moroccan fans. Upon the team's return home, Ouahbi spoke to the media, reflecting on Morocco's tournament performance, emphasizing both the positives from their run and the disappointment of their final match. While recognizing the team's overall accomplishments, the Moroccan manager expressed having mixed feelings about how the tournament concluded, particularly as he believed his players were unable to showcase their best football when it was most crucial. Ouahbi feels that Morocco did not fully embody their style and philosophy against the reigning world champions, taking accountability for the deficiencies in their quarter-final display. "We would have preferred to conclude this tournament by being truer to ourselves, by demonstrating our genuine identity. That wasn't the case, and I accept responsibility for that as the manager," Ouahbi stated. The Atlas Lions had received accolades for their organization, resolve, and competitive spirit throughout the tournament, further solidifying Morocco's emergence as one of Africa's premier football nations on the global stage. Nevertheless, their defeat to France prompted the coaching staff and players to ponder what might have been achieved had they maintained the same level of confidence and intensity exhibited in earlier matches. For Ouahbi, the emphasis now turns to learning from the experience and building upon Morocco's progress as they strive to establish themselves among the elite football nations of the world.