Abu Khalal advises courage against France.

Moroccan international Zakaria Aboukhlal emphasized that the national team has reached a new stage in its journey, having changed its perception of itself and the world's view of it. He confirmed that the "Atlas Lions" are entering the match against France this evening in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup with greater confidence and maturity than was the case four years ago.

Aboukhlal said in an interview with FIFA's official website: "I believe Morocco has changed the perception of Moroccan football. In the past, people might have hoped that Morocco could compete with the biggest teams. Now, everyone knows that this is Morocco's true level."

The national team striker in the previous edition considered that this transformation was clearly manifested during the Lions' journey in the 2026 World Cup, praising the way players handle big matches. He said: "It's maturity. The players seem calm, confident, and composed; they show no surprise at being at this stage. They want to play from their strengths, regardless of the opponent's identity. We saw that clearly against Brazil and the Netherlands."

Regarding the match against France, Aboukhlal stressed that the French team is not just Kylian Mbappé, despite his great value, explaining: "Of course, Mbappé is one of the best players in the world, so we must be cautious of him. But France is not just Mbappé; their team is full of talent in every position."

He added: "Morocco will need to defend as a cohesive unit, maintain the proximity of its lines, and not give France large spaces in transitions. But it also needs to be brave when possessing the ball; against France, you cannot just settle for holding on, but you must find moments to force them to defend as well."

Aboukhlal expressed his confidence in the Moroccan national team's ability to continue the development that began since the Qatar World Cup, considering that what distinguishes the current group is its success in blending experienced players with young talents, along with its ability to compensate for the departure of prominent names, thanks to the presence of leadership figures within the team.

He said in this regard: "Of course, Romain (Saïss) is a great captain, but this team now has more leaders. Bono is one of them, and there are also players like Mazraoui and Hakimi, who understand the meaning of representing Morocco." He added about the goalkeeper: "Bono brings calm to the team. In big matches, that is extremely important. He has experience, communicates well, and the players trust him."

He also praised Noussair Mazraoui, saying: "Everyone knows the quality of Noussair, but I believe what he brings to Morocco is very important. He is calm on the ball, smart in his positioning, and capable of playing in different roles. In big matches, you need players who understand the game and keep their composure under pressure. He has that. He brings balance and experience to the team."