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“Bonus is to win the World Cup”: Morocco coach Ouahbi eyes France upset in FIFA World Cup QF
Massachusetts [US], July 9 (ANI): Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has dismissed suggestions that his side has already exceeded expectations at the FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting the Atlas Lions are targeting the title as they prepare for a blockbuster quarter-final clash against France on Thursday (local time). xsportfeed.life
Morocco face France in a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where Les Bleus ended the North African nation’s historic run. This time, however, Ouahbi believes his team has every reason to dream bigger despite acknowledging France’s status as favourites.
“We will take stock at the end of the tournament," Ouahbi told reporters, as per Reuters. “I will not say anything now because we can have more. We are not going to listen to people who will say ‘what you have done up to now is wonderful’."
“France are favourites but we will do everything possible to win tomorrow and qualify for the semi-finals," he added. “I don’t like this feeling ‘we have done well to get here and all the rest is bonus’. No, the bonus is to win the World Cup. This is how we have come this far and we will go further."
Ouahbi stressed that his players must approach the contest without fear against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.
“It is not a question of assets," he said, according to Reuters. “The Moroccan side is evolving as is France. The key is to play the match without regrets. There are things to improve tomorrow. We have to play at 2,000% and not think what we have done up to now is not bad."
France enter the last-eight encounter chasing a third consecutive FIFA World Cup semi-final appearance. Didier Deschamps’ side have won all five of their matches so far, topping Group I before defeating Sweden and edging past Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16 thanks to a penalty from captain Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe has scored seven goals in the tournament, second only to Lionel Messi’s eight, and headlines a formidable French attack alongside Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola. Young midfielder Desire Doue has also impressed after winning the decisive penalty against Paraguay.
The match will also be a landmark occasion for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to equal Helmut Schon’s record by managing his 25th FIFA World Cup match. Deschamps, who is due to step down after the tournament, is also chasing his 20th World Cup victory as coach.
Morocco, meanwhile, have continued their impressive rise since reaching the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago. Ranked seventh in the world, the Atlas Lions finished second in Group C before defeating the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32 and overcoming co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice and substitute Soufiane Rahimi adding a late goal.
The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in 10 matches since January’s Africa Cup of Nations final but are still searching for their first-ever victory over France, having lost four and drawn two of their previous six meetings.
The winners of Thursday’s quarter-final will book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, where either Spain or Belgium await. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
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FIFA World Cup 2026: England’s best players don’t play in Premier League, says Norway coach Solbakken ahead of QF clash
Miami [US], July 9 (ANI): Norway head coach Stale Solbakken played down suggestions that his side’s familiarity with Premier League football would provide an edge against England, saying the Three Lions’ biggest stars actually play outside England’s top flight.
Norway take on England in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final on Saturday (local time), with much of the pre-match focus centred on Premier League stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, who represent Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
However, Solbakken pointed out that England’s standout performers at the tournament have been plying their trade in Europe rather than the Premier League.
“I don’t know if it’s favourable. Some of the players have obviously played against many of the English players," Solbakken told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.
“The two best English players may not be playing in the Premier League. They’re playing in Spain and Germany, so you can also take it that way," he added.
England captain Harry Kane, who now plays for Bayern Munich, has scored six goals at the tournament and remains in contention for the Golden Boot, while Jude Bellingham, starring for Real Madrid, has added four goals, including a brace in England’s dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Mexico.
Norway arrive in Miami riding high after knocking out five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. While Solbakken admitted the result had lifted the squad’s confidence, he warned that past performances would count for little once the match begins.
“I think it gave (us) more confidence, but I think that… Every game lives its own life," he said, as per Reuters.
“I don’t think that any other team we have met so far in this World Cup has underestimated us. Every team does their analysis, a lot of analysis, so there are no secrets. That goes for this game as well," he said.
The Norwegian coach also dismissed concerns over the fitness of his squad after reports earlier in the week suggested illness had affected the camp.
“It’s right that Odegaard was sick. It’s his uncle (Thomas) who is a physio; he is sick. It’s not Martin," Solbakken clarified.
“So everything is fine, every player is fine. There’s no sickness among the players. There’s been one or two in the staff," the Norwegian head coach said.
Solbakken reserved special praise for Haaland, who has scored seven goals at the tournament–one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race–and highlighted the striker’s influence beyond his goals.
“He’s one of the boys. He has been together with these boys from under-16, 17 and 18," Solbakken said.
“Many of them have been together their whole life, so they’re really enjoying this journey as well," he added.
The coach also praised Odegaard’s leadership, suggesting the Arsenal skipper shoulders even greater responsibility with the national team.
“He perhaps has a little bit more free role in our team," Solbakken explained.
“Maybe when he plays with Arsenal, he has equal players with the same experience with Declan Rice and (Martin) Zubimendi. They can share it a little bit. Obviously, we maybe put a little bit more on his shoulders," he said.
“Together with Erling, he has been one of our best players for the long term and a great captain, also when times were a little bit tougher than it is now," Solbakken concluded.
The winner of Saturday’s clash will book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)