Wahbi: I take full responsibility for the exclusion.

Despite the bitterness of being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against France, Mohamed Wahbi, the coach of the Moroccan national team, affirmed that participating in the 2026 World Cup remains a great source of pride, emphasizing the need to invest in what has been achieved to build a better future for the "Atlas Lions."

During the press conference he held today, Tuesday, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura, Wahbi provided a realistic and candid assessment of the team's journey, preferring to focus on the gains achieved rather than dwelling on the disappointment of elimination.

The national coach began his remarks by thanking everyone who contributed to the team's journey, saying: "First, I would like to thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his support and vision from the beginning. I also thank the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the technical staff, the players, their families, and all the Moroccan fans who supported us closely or from afar throughout this tournament."

Regarding the defeat against France, Wahbi acknowledged the opponent's right to qualify, affirming that he takes full responsibility as the coach of the team, stating: "We must congratulate the French team because they deserved to win, and I take full responsibility as the coach."

Despite the elimination, the captain of the Lions emphasized that the team had a remarkable tournament, adding: "We played six matches, and in five of them, we succeeded in bringing joy and entertainment to the fans. Therefore, we are very satisfied with our journey."

In response to the criticisms directed at his choices against France, the national coach clarified that the "Lions" did not change their identity or style, saying: "The tactical plan was the same as the one we adopted against Brazil and the Netherlands, and we did not change anything. We had the same intentions."

The speaker attributed the reason for the elimination to the team's lack of effectiveness and decisiveness in the final third of the field more than any other factor.

Wahbi also rejected justifying the exit due to injuries or fatigue, affirming that such excuses do not align with the mentality of competing at the highest levels, saying: "Talking about injuries or fatigue is just excuses. Yes, we had injuries and some players felt fatigued; but I do not think this way. I want us to continue progressing, as only with this mentality can we continue to develop."

The coach considered that one of the most significant gains from the World Cup is the experience gained by a young generation of players, as the team relied on the youngest lineup among the teams that qualified for the Round of 16 and beyond.