Morocco coach Ouahbi after defeating Netherlands: we are unstoppable

Morocco's national football team defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout at the 2026 World Cup, and head coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed that his team is ready to compete against any opponent. The statistics speak clearly: Morocco had 70 per cent possession and an expected goals figure (xG) of 1.38 compared to the Netherlands' 0.24.

Morocco's national football team continues its impressive performance at the 2026 World Cup, defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the round of 16. After the match, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi took the opportunity to emphasise his team's unstoppable mentality.

Statistics speak for themselves

Statistically, Morocco dominated the match clearly. Possession was split 70:30 in Morocco's favour, they won the shot count 11:6 and shots on target 5:2. Morocco's expected goals figure (xG) reached 1.38, while the Netherlands managed only 0.24. The Moroccans drew level in the first minute of extra time, then settled the matter in the penalty shootout.

Before the round of 16, the Moroccans had drawn 1:1 with Brazil in the group stage opener and defeated Scotland and Haiti.

"No one can stop us"

"The Qatar World Cup changed the mentality of the Morocco team and I have a good opportunity to talk about it," Ouahbi said after the match, acknowledging the work of his predecessor. "The Morocco players believe in themselves, the supporters and fans believe in us too. This is so important."

Ouahbi added that complacency is not permitted. "We have to keep telling ourselves: nobody can stop us! If we play the kind of football we want to play, we are unstoppable," he said. However, he stressed that his team must not become overconfident: "No one is invincible. I tell my lads this too, if things go wrong for us, we go home."

Road to the round of 16

Morocco's national team has had an interesting year. The year began with disappointment when they lost a controversial final to Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations at home, after which the federation ended coach Walid Regragui's contract. Mohamed Ouahbi, the youth team coach, was appointed as the new manager after he guided Morocco's U20 team to World Cup glory the previous year.

Now Morocco await Canada in the quarterfinals. Ouahbi cautions fans against overconfidence: "People might think this is an easy match for us, but there is nothing easy awaiting us. Canada is a difficult opponent for us."

Koeman: Africa has made huge progress

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman did not hide his respect either. "It is crystal clear that African teams have made huge progress tactically, but also in terms of playing style. Morocco has many good players and young talents who are increasingly joining top European clubs," said Koeman, noting that this is precisely why Morocco is ranked higher than the Netherlands in the FIFA rankings.

Out of ten African teams, nine reached the round of 16, a clear sign of the growing strength of African football.