Morocco's Atlas Lions secure World Cup 2026 quarter-final spot with dominant win over Canada
via Le Matin8 min read
Morocco's national team, the Atlas Lions, advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2026 after a decisive 3-0 victory against Canada at Houston Stadium on Saturday. Despite facing an aggressive Canadian defense in the first half, the Atlas Lions demonstrated remarkable control to overcome one of the host nations after the break. Goals from Azzedine Ounahi, who scored twice, and Soufiane Rahimi in added time, solidified their qualification. This strong performance sets up a quarter-final match against France, which is anticipated to be a highly competitive encounter.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Following Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over Canada, national coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed his satisfaction. He noted that after a challenging first half, tactical adjustments made at halftime allowed the team to control Canada's pressure and exploit spaces. Ouahbi credited the collective effort of his staff for these changes, stating that ideas come from everyone and the best ones are chosen. He emphasized that Morocco's success is no longer a surprise, with the team now considered a contender and a great nation, aiming to go further with ambition, confidence, and humility. Ouahbi also highlighted the role of national training, specifically mentioning Azzedine Ounahi, a product of the Mohammed VI Academy, as a testament to the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Ounahi, named man of the match, acknowledged the intensity of the game, particularly in the first half, and the importance of halftime discussions with the coach and staff to find solutions. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi also underscored the significance of the adjustments made during the break. French coach Didier Deschamps, whose team also qualified for the quarterfinals, praised Morocco, stating they are among the best teams and their presence in the quarterfinals is not by chance, attributing it to their quality and potential. Morocco and France are set to face each other on July 9 in Boston for a spot in the semifinals.
For the 2026 World Cup, high temperatures, often exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in several host cities in the United States and Mexico, present a significant challenge for footballers. Physical trainers are now focusing on managing player exertion and protecting their bodies from unprecedented thermal stress. Medical staff are concerned about dehydration, decreased physical and cognitive abilities, premature fatigue, and heatstroke. Teams have adapted their training methods, scheduling sessions early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak heat. Players follow individualized hydration protocols before, during, and after training, with daily monitoring of weight and hydration levels. Experts estimate footballers can lose 1 to 2 liters of fluid during a 90-minute match, even more in extreme conditions. Recovery has become a strategic element, with many teams using cooling equipment like refrigerated vests, insulated jackets, and shoe covers to quickly lower body temperature. These devices can reduce internal temperature by about 0.5°C and skin temperature by up to 13°C, delaying fatigue and promoting faster recovery. Cooling breaks during matches are crucial for rehydration, tactical instructions, and lowering body temperature. Sports experts note that preparation for the North American World Cup now includes acclimatization to heat as a key performance factor. Some teams arrive days or weeks in advance to gradually adapt to local climate conditions. Managing heat cou
Marsa Maroc is accelerating its investments at the Port of Casablanca, following a twenty-year extension of the concession for Container Terminal 3 TC3, operated by its subsidiary TC3PC. This decision is accompanied by an investment program of 3 billion dirhams aimed at strengthening the capacities of the port. The project seeks to increase the capacity of Terminal 3 from 600,000 to 900,000 TEU by 2030. Overall, the planned investments will enable the Port of Casablanca to exceed 2 million TEU across its container terminals. Marsa Maroc's plans include extending quays, enhancing handling equipment, and redeveloping storage areas for the two container terminals it operates in the port. These investments are intended to improve both processing capabilities and operational performance. Marsa Maroc views this initiative as a long-term strategy to solidify the Port of Casablanca's role as the Kingdom's main gateway, supporting trade growth and strengthening the national logistics chain. The concession extension provides the necessary visibility for Marsa Maroc to undertake these significant investments, responding to the growth in container traffic and aiming to improve the performance of the Casablanca port terminals and reinforce their position on regional maritime routes.