On June 28, Morocco coach Wahbi gave a pre-match interview ahead of the Netherlands fixture, discussing the weather conditions and other match preparations.
When asked whether tomorrow's match would be a test of physical strength, tactics, or mentality, Wahbi said: "My answer is always the same. This is a FIFA World Cup knockout match between two teams ranked in the top ten globally. It's not just about physical confrontation, technical and tactical skills, or mental resilience alone—it's a comprehensive test of all factors.
Physical, technical, tactical, mental—every aspect must be at its best. We must be a complete team. We must be prepared for every stage and moment of the game. In fact, we didn't start preparing only four days ago. Since the FIFA World Cup training camp began, we have been continuously establishing our playing principles while building player confidence. Now all preparations are complete. What remains is to demonstrate this on the field tomorrow."
Regarding Brahim Díaz's performance at this World Cup, Wahbi said: "As you mentioned, he has provided two crucial assists—one against Brazil and another against Scotland, both at critical moments that decided the outcomes. Regarding the game stability you mentioned, I think this isn't just Díaz's personal issue but reflects the entire team's continuous growth process. Our goal is to maintain our level of performance for longer periods.
This applies not only to Díaz but to the entire team. We have shown many excellent things, but we still need to improve consistency and stability. The players are very aware of this. All of us—coaching staff and players alike—can feel that we become more confident and stable with each match. I believe everyone will see a better Díaz tomorrow. Major matches like this bring out the true strength of excellent players. I believe he will deliver an outstanding performance."
When asked about the hot weather's impact on the game's pace, Wahbi said: "High temperatures will certainly affect the match. However, both sides face the same conditions. Most of our players compete in European leagues, so this weather is not easy for us to adapt to—the same goes for the Netherlands. The good news is that temperatures should drop slightly after kickoff. You raised an interesting point about high pressing and game pace. We have observed that World Cup matches played in enclosed stadiums have significantly faster pace and more goals.
Our match against Haiti, for example, had six goals, and several others were similar. This suggests that enclosed stadiums produce faster pace, higher intensity, and quicker offensive-defensive transitions. This could be valuable for FIFA to consider when organizing future events. Of course, this relates to the playing environment rather than weather itself. Tomorrow should still be a high-quality match. Although it's hot, both sides will face identical challenges."
When asked if the 1986 World Cup history would motivate the team, Wahbi said: "Many people mention 1986. Some tell me Morocco defeated Germany because the high altitude made it difficult for them to adapt. However, I'm not certain about that claim. I have vivid memories of 1986—I was 10 years old, and that World Cup profoundly impacted me. It's where I truly began dreaming of participating in a World Cup.
But rather than dwelling on the past, I'm pleased to be back in Mexico now. We can genuinely feel the Mexican people's enthusiasm for us. Every time our team bus heads to the stadium, fans line the roadside waving and cheering. That feeling is wonderful. We're grateful to be in a country that loves football and has such a strong football culture—it's quite similar to Morocco's. Of course, our hope is to go further than in 1986. That's our biggest goal here."
Regarding the team's ability to capitalize on chances, Wahbi said: "We are constantly improving. Through match analysis and training, we can see the team becoming more aggressive. More players are entering the box, and the desire to score is growing stronger. Even in training, I can feel players increasingly want to improve their finishing. So I'm not worried about this at all—I believe in them and the attitude they show daily.
Sometimes football works this way: you don't need ten chances to score. Maybe you missed eight chances last game, but in the next one, you only get two and convert them both. That's football. So I'm not concerned about previous missed chances. Of course, as Rachid used to say—and his son is on our coaching staff—'Everyone shoot, practice more, shoot desperately.' That's a joke between us. But seriously, we haven't changed our training methods because of this. We still believe in our players."
Finally, Wahbi addressed Moroccan fans: "First, I want to thank all who support us, whether in Morocco or worldwide. We know you're always with us. I ask everyone to continue believing in us. We work hard for our country every day—every training session and preparation minute is to perform well for Morocco. Tomorrow, we will give our all and leave everything on the field. We hope that regardless of the outcome, every Moroccan can be proud of this team. Thank you all."
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