The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) renewed its confidence in national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi on Thursday following a board meeting chaired by FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, which focused on preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and an assessment of Morocco’s performance at the 2026 tournament.
Opening the meeting, Lekjaa said co-hosting the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal requires broad mobilization and close coordination to ensure the tournament is organized under the best possible conditions.
He described the event as part of King Mohammed VI’s vision to develop Moroccan sports and strengthen the country’s position on the international stage.
Lekjaa noted that attention will shift to the three host nations immediately after the conclusion of the current World Cup, stressing the need to accelerate preparations and enhance cooperation among all stakeholders.
He added that the “Morocco 2030” foundation will oversee the organization of the tournament in partnership with the FRMF to ensure continuity and coordination throughout the process.
The federation president also called on Morocco’s football leagues to modernize their methods and move beyond supervisory roles to actively contribute to the country’s long-term objectives before and after 2030.
Reviewing Morocco’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup, the federation’s board described the Atlas Lions’ quarterfinal finish as a positive outcome that reflects the continued progress of Moroccan football.
Board members said the result builds on reforms launched in 2018, which helped Morocco rise from 84th to sixth in FIFA’s world rankings.
The federation highlighted the difficulty of the tournament, noting that Morocco faced several teams ranked among the world’s top 10. Members stressed that the next challenge will be to achieve even greater success in future editions while preserving and expanding on the achievements of the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
The board also criticized what it described as rumors and misinformation that emerged after Morocco’s quarterfinal defeat to France, calling for the national team to be protected from inaccurate reporting and political or personal agendas that could affect its stability.
Responding to comments made during the meeting, Lekjaa said the royal message delivered during Morocco’s National Conference on Sports in 2008 remains a key reference point for the development of Moroccan sports.
He pointed to recent successes across different age groups as evidence that the federation’s strategy is yielding results, citing the under-20 team’s World Cup title, the performances of the under-17 side and the Olympic team’s bronze medal at the Paris Games.
Lekjaa also called for improved communication with the public to highlight the work being carried out by the federation and regional leagues, while remaining open to constructive criticism that could help improve performance and address shortcomings.
He defended the commitment of Morocco’s players during the World Cup, saying all members of the squad fulfilled their duties with a strong sense of national pride.
Lekjaa expressed surprise at criticism questioning the players’ dedication and stressed that the federation had provided the delegation with all necessary conditions, including logistical support for players’ families, to ensure a positive environment throughout the tournament.
The meeting concluded with the federation officially renewing its confidence in Ouahbi as head coach of the national team. Discussions on the remaining items on the agenda were postponed until Friday’s meeting.
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