Morocco national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi held a press conference after the team's friendly match against Norway on June 9, 2026, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The match was part of Morocco's preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they are scheduled to face Brazil in their opening group stage match on June 15, 2026.
"We deliberately wanted to face a team of this level to gauge ourselves," Ouahbi said, according to post-match reports. "It was a full match against an opponent with great technical and athletic qualities." The coach emphasized that the friendly was designed to test the team's tactics and resilience ahead of the high-profile Brazil encounter.
Morocco, who made history by reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are looking to build on that success. The draw against Norway, a team ranked 46th by FIFA as of June 2026, provided insights into areas needing improvement, particularly in defensive transitions and finishing, according to analysts.
The upcoming match against Brazil, ranked 5th in the world, will be a major challenge. Brazil has a strong World Cup record, having won the tournament five times. The match is scheduled to take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as part of the group stage.
Ouahbi's comments reflect a strategic approach to the tournament, using friendlies to refine the squad. The team's performance against Norway has been seen as a positive step, with players showing commitment and tactical discipline.
