​FOXBOROUGH — With Morocco’s World Cup dream ended by a 2-0 defeat to France in the quarterfinals, Atlas Lions head coach Mohamed Ouahbi revealed a clear preference for his homeland in footballing affairs. As France prepared to meet either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals, set for 3 p.m. Tuesday in Dallas, Ouahbi made his rooting interest known.
“I hope it will be Belgium,” he stated, signaling where his loyalty lay as he reflected on his personal and professional journey. Ouahbi, who took charge of Morocco in March after guiding the nation’s under-20 and under-23 teams, was born in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels to a Moroccan family. His ties to both nations run deep: he supported Belgium and Morocco during the 1986 World Cup, an era when loyalties could be as intricate as a player’s development path.
Ouahbi’s career has seen him cross paths with some of the world’s elite teams, including France, during his tenure at Boston Stadium. He spoke with evident admiration for Didier Deschamps, the France manager, praising him both as a player and as a coach. “These are role models,” Ouahbi said. “They know how to manage egos.”
Deschamps responded graciously, admitting he did not know Ouahbi personally but recognizing Morocco’s bright potential, including its youth talent and its status as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. “These are positive indicators for the future,” Deschamps said, emphasizing the optimism surrounding Moroccan football.
As for Ouahbi’s immediate stance, he tempered his personal hopes with professional goodwill toward France, while keeping a light-hearted personal caveat. “I wish France success going forward. Just not against Belgium,” he quipped.
This exchange occurs against a broader backdrop of Morocco’s evolving football landscape. Deschamps highlighted Morocco’s vibrant youth system and its co-host status for the 2030 World Cup, underlining the country’s growing influence on the global stage. Ouahbi’s reflections illustrate the personal crossroads coaches often face between national allegiance and the professional realities of the game.
The moment also recalls Ouahbi’s roots in Belgium, where his formative football influences began, and his current role guiding Morocco’s national team, which continues to build on the progress achieved in recent years. The post-match sentiment captures a footballing world where national pride and professional respect can intersect, even as the competition advances and teams pursue their next chapters on the world stage.
Note: This article was originally published by The Patriot Ledger. The goal is to provide a clear narrative of Ouahbi’s comments and the surrounding context following Morocco’s quarterfinal exit.