صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Houston –The Moroccan national team will face Canada, on Saturday evening, in the 16-final of the 2026 World Cup with great confidence, supported by a clear tactical imprint developed by coach Mohamed Wehbe, who believes that the “Atlas Lions” have entered a new phase, considering that mental readiness will be the decisive factor in deciding the qualification ticket.
Wehbe confirmed, during the press conference that preceded the match, that facing Canada will be the most difficult for the Moroccan team in the tournament so far, stressing that the results of the first round no longer mean anything, and that the decision will be based on what the players present on the field.
The national voter said that the Canadian team has developed remarkably compared to the 2022 World Cup, describing it as an organized team with a clear identity, whether offensively or defensively, stressing that respecting the competitor does not mean abandoning Morocco’s ambition to continue the journey.
Regarding physical readiness, Wehbe explained that the fatigue resulting from playing 120 minutes against the Netherlands will not be an obstacle, considering that “mental recovery is more important than physical recovery” in such tournaments, adding that physical indicators confirm the players’ ability to maintain a high pace.
He also reassured the fans about the health condition of defender Shadi Riyad, explaining that the injury he suffered in the last match did not appear to be worrying, and that the decision to participate would be determined after the final evaluation, while stressing that everyone who enters the match will be fully prepared.
Speaking about the criticism directed at some of the national team’s stars, Wehbe defended Ibrahim Diaz, pointing out that great players are always under the pressure of expectations, but he expressed his confidence in the national team’s star’s ability to provide better levels during the upcoming rounds.
Mohamed Wehbe did not reach the leadership of the Moroccan national team in a vacuum, as he began his coaching career in Belgium within the age groups, before spending more than twenty years developing talent within the Anderlecht club, where he contributed to the formation of a number of names that later shone in European football.
In 2022, he joined the Royal Moroccan Football University to coach the under-20 team, before achieving remarkable success in leading the youth team to win the World Cup, an achievement that paved the way for his appointment as coach of the first team.
Since taking over the job, Wehbe has changed the features of the Moroccan national team, relying on possession, high pressure, and building play from the back, in a clear shift from the defensive style that characterized the previous stage.
A number of former international players believe that the Moroccan coach succeeded in giving the “Atlas Lions” a bolder attacking personality, which was reflected in the performance that the team presented against strong teams, most notably Brazil and the Netherlands, while at the same time maintaining defensive solidity.
The Moroccan national team hopes to translate this technical development into a positive result against Canada, and to continue its journey in the 2026 World Cup, in light of rising ambitions for the possibility of going far in the tournament.
Source:“My press”
