World Cup 2026: Ouahbi wants to “believe" with Morocco, Migné believes that Haiti "has not given up”

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Mohamed Ouahbi praised the "strong domination" after the victory against Haiti (4-2), which secured qualification for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, while acknowledging that his team needed to better control transitions ahead the upcoming knockout match in Monterrey.

"We won a World Cup match," the Moroccan coach recalled first in the post-match press conference in Atlanta. "When you look at the numbers, I don't think we've ever had stats like that in a World Cup — so many chances, such strong domination."

However, Morocco were made to play a more open game than expected, with Haiti scoring twice in the first half from their few opportunities. Ouahbi summed up the game by pointing out that the Haitians had "two shots, two goals," and then a third effort saved by Yassine Bounou in the 90th minute. 

"They had two or three players up front in transitions," he explained, noting that his team sometimes had to "better control" the match. "It was a complicated match because of that, but not because of our quality or strengths."

"I have no substitutes"

Asked about individual performances, especially those of Brahim Diaz and Anass Salah-Eddine, the coach refused to single out players. He emphasized that several players lacked playing time and were experiencing the intensity of a World Cup match as starters.

"Brahim, he's a player who was the top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations, the best player, he plays for Real Madrid, he's a great player," he replied nonetheless. "We expect more from him because he's one of the best players. I won't scold anyone because I felt my group was committed."

Ouahbi also highlighted the contributions of substitutes, especially Gessime Yassine and Soufiane Rahimi, who helped turn the match around. He said he simply asked them, like the others, to "be ready."

"I have no substitutes," he asserted. "These are players who start matches and players who finish matches. Today, the players who finished the match contributed to the victory."

The Moroccan coach, who speaks of having a "real group," a "real team," and a "real identity," embraced the new ambition surrounding the Atlas Lions. When asked whether Morocco could now aim for the World Cup title, he said the country had entered "another dimension."

"The players believe in themselves, Moroccan fans believe in their team, and opponents respect Morocco," he said. "We are beginning to enter a dimension where we have to believe, where we have to aim for that title."

Monterrey, "where it all began"

Morocco, still hoping to top the group, will now have to travel to Monterrey, Mexico. Ouahbi assured that every scenario had been prepared — whether his team finished first, second, or third. 

"We played in '86 against Poland in Monterrey," he recalled. "It was one of my best World Cups; I was 10 years old. We're going back, in a way, to where it all began."

The future opponent from Group F was to be known on Thursday, June 25. Ouahbi said he had "no preference" between the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden — three teams with "completely different styles" already analyzed by the Moroccan staff. 

"When you have ambition, you must be able to play against anyone," he declared. "What matters to me is focusing on my group, analyzing the opponent, and fixing the small details."

He also dismissed the idea that Morocco only plays well against "top teams." According to him, despite conceding two goals, the performance against Haiti was the best of Morocco’s tournament. 

"In terms of gameplay, content, possession, chances, and domination, it was our best match of the World Cup," he assessed. "Just because there was a moment when they showed a bit of fury and scored twice doesn’t mean we didn’t play well."

Migné: Haiti "didn't give up"

On the Haitian side, Sébastien Migné anticipated a reshuffled Moroccan team, especially to manage players under suspension threat and the squad ahead of the rest of the competition. But he emphasized that Morocco’s depth did not really lower its level. 

"You take one out, you put another in. Does it lower the team’s level? I’m not sure," he observed. 

The Haitian coach, eliminated before this final match, said he was "disappointed in terms of points" but refused to speak of giving up. He believed his players had shown an image befitting a country returning to the World Cup finals after 52 years away.

"I didn't feel like my boys gave up," he said. "It's also typical of the Haitian profile: a people who don't submit, who don't give up. The boys were a reflection of Haiti." 

Migné recalled the tough draw, with Brazil and Morocco in the same group, as well as what he considered unfavorable refereeing decisions in the first match. He acknowledged that the results were insufficient but defended the image left by his team. 

"In terms of results, the grade will be below average," he admitted. "In terms of image, I think we offered a few days during which Haiti was spoken of positively and in glowing terms."

To a very critical Haitian journalist who asked whether his sole objective had been to "humiliate" the Haitian population, Migné calmly replied that he preferred to focus on the international perception of his team, especially from Morocco. 

"When I hear the coach say he's surprised by our performance, by the quality, and that he'll use it for the rest of the competition because of how we put them in difficulty, that's what I prefer to remember," he responded.

"They shook up Morocco"

He also defended his tactical choices, including switching to three defenders against Brazil, explaining that several players already use this system at their clubs. As for integrating new players, he cited the need to manage the group and ensure a smooth generational transition. 

"I'm not sure that by putting these players in from the start, the group wouldn't implode — and perhaps the outcome would have been harsher," he said.

Migné also confirmed that he had never been to Haiti since his appointment, a situation he attributed to security conditions and the suspension of the local championship at a time when a trip could have been considered. 

"This is my tenth national team, and it's the first time this has happened to me," he acknowledged. "It's certainly a missed opportunity to develop young local talents, contribute to the training of local coaches, and connect more deeply with the country's culture."

The coach’s biggest regret remains the first match, where Haiti failed to earn any points — a result that could have changed the group’s dynamics. He also deemed the rules “harsh,” believing that more matches might have stayed open if head‑to‑head goal difference had been the primary factor. 

“When you play against the fifth‑ and sixth‑ranked teams in the world, it’s high altitude,” he summarized. “What can I blame my boys for? They shook up Morocco today — not a small Morocco.”

Migné finally praised the work of Mohamed Ouahbi, his management, and the progress of the Moroccan team since the Africa Cup of Nations. "He is often insightful and relevant when he talks about football," he said. "You’re lucky to have him." 

The Haitian press conference — the team’s last of the tournament — ended with a nod to Morocco, co‑host of the 2030 World Cup: "Dear Moroccans, we ask you to prepare to welcome us in four years."

Coupe du monde 2026. Le Maroc se qualifie en seizièmes après son succès contre Haïti (4-2)