Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi disputed a handball incident after his team lost 2-0 to France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final [1].
The defeat eliminates Morocco from the tournament and sends France into the semi-finals, marking a significant hurdle for the North African side's ambitions in the U.S.-hosted event.
The match took place July 9, 2026, at Boston Stadium in Boston [2], [3]. France secured the victory with two goals scored by Kylian Mbappé [4]. Despite the result, Ouahbi focused on a specific contested play during a post-match press conference.
"It was definitely handball," Ouahbi said [5].
The coach expressed frustration over the officiating but maintained a positive outlook for the future of his squad. He noted that the team had fought hard despite the scoreline, a result that ends their current campaign.
"We will come back stronger," Ouahbi said [6].
While Morocco exits the competition, Ouahbi shared his preferences for the remaining teams in the bracket. He indicated that his support now lies with another European contender.
"We are rooting for Belgium to win the World Cup," Ouahbi said [7].
“"It was definitely handball."”
Morocco's exit in the quarter-finals underscores the difficulty of overcoming elite European powerhouses like France in the knockout stages. Coach Ouahbi's focus on the handball incident suggests a perceived injustice in the officiating, while his public support for Belgium reflects the complex international alliances and sporting camaraderie present in the 2026 tournament.
