Morocco head coach Mohamed Wahbi expressed disappointment even after his team secured a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup group stage. He said that while his side largely executed their game plan against the five-time world champions, they still failed to take all three points.
The Group C match was played on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Morocco delivered a strong performance. Ismail Saibari put the African side ahead in the 21st minute after a well-placed assist from Brahim Diaz. Brazil responded quickly, with Vinicius Junior leveling the score 11 minutes later through a powerful strike that beat goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the second half, but neither side was able to break the deadlock, and the match ended in a share of points.
Speaking after the game, Wahbi said facing Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil was always going to be challenging. He praised his players for sticking to the tactical plan but admitted frustration over not winning the match.
He added that Morocco entered the match with a clear intention to win, and the dressing room felt they had missed an opportunity to secure victory.
Morocco had control for significant portions of the first half, using high pressing, quick passing, and energetic movement to trouble Brazil. However, Wahbi noted that hot weather conditions affected player performance, and substitutions were used to manage fatigue. He also pointed out that several players were making their World Cup debut, which added to the difficulty of the occasion.
