Wahbi appreciates the maturity of the "Atlas Lions" after surpassing the Netherlands in the World Cup.

Mohamed Wahbi, the coach of the Moroccan national football team, praised the performance of his players after qualifying for the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, following a victory over the Dutch team in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, confirming that the "Atlas Lions" were the better side throughout the match.

In statements made after the match, Wahbi congratulated his players on the fighting spirit they showed, considering that the qualification was a culmination of the performance the team delivered against one of the tournament's top contenders.

The Moroccan coach said: "I felt that we were ready for this scenario. We played the first match until the last moments, and this confrontation was decided by penalties. We knew that the Netherlands also had the ability to withstand; but the ending was wonderful for us."

The captain of the lions added: "This qualification is deserved. We completely dominated them. We had about 70 percent possession, created more chances, and shot numerous times, despite the difficulty of breaking through their compact defense. We had to be patient; because we were aware of the danger of their counter-attacks."

The same speaker continued: "We had to play with a mature mentality and benefit from our experience to secure the qualification," noting that "this team continues to develop; but we still have a lot to offer in this tournament."

Wahbi concluded his statements by emphasizing the need to quickly turn the page on celebration, saying: "We want to celebrate this achievement; but we must remain vigilant, as the competition is not over yet."

The Moroccan national team, led by Mohamed Wahbi, continues to build on the historic achievement it made in the 2022 World Cup, as the coach successfully blended experienced players with a new generation, leading the "Atlas Lions" to maintain their strong presence on the global stage.