Morocco coach Ouahbi calls Canada match the most important and difficult World Cup fixture

Morocco's national coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has emphasized that the upcoming World Cup 2026 round of 16 match against Canada is the most crucial and challenging for the Atlas Lions. Speaking at a press conference in Houston, Ouahbi stated that his team must approach the game as the most significant of their tournament, considering the Canadian squad to be stronger than the one they faced in the Qatar World Cup. He acknowledged that Canadian coach Jesse Marsch's pre-match comments might have been an attempt to pressure Morocco, but affirmed his team's focus. Ouahbi described the match as one of the most important in his career, expressing confidence that his team will strive for a historic qualification to the quarterfinals. He noted that Canada has significantly improved since their 2022 World Cup group stage encounter, describing them as more compact and composed in ball distribution. Regarding player availability, Ouahbi confirmed that central defender Chadi Riad, who sustained an injury in the previous match against the Netherlands, has trained normally and is fully available. He did not reveal his starting lineup, stating that only players who "deserve it" and offer the best guarantees will start. Ouahbi also highlighted the team's improving physical condition and praised his technical staff's crucial role in the national team's performance.