NEW JERSEY — Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players should not fear playing record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in their tournament opener.
The Atlas Lions take on Brazil in New Jersey on Saturday in one of the standout matches of the group stage, fuelled by the memories of their run to the semifinals four years ago in Qatar.
“It’s a match that will tell us where we stand, but I think we’re in a good place to start this competition,” said Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui as Morocco boss in March.
“We’ve got to be in confident in ourselves and what we’ve done. We shouldn’t fear Brazil but treat them with respect.
“Lots of people say it’s not the Brazil of old, but it’s still Brazil,” he added according to AFP.
Morocco produced a historic best performance for an African and Arab nation at the 2022 World Cup, knocking out Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.
They were a surprise package then, having only previously made the knockout stage of a World Cup once, but this time is different.
Morocco are ranked seventh in the world, just one place behind Group C rivals Brazil.
“We’re not afraid,” said Ouahbi. “We’ve entered a new dimension, we’re a lot more respected. The goal now is to try and make that last – it’s up to us to become contenders.”
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was a key member of Morocco’s squad at the last World Cup.
The reigning African player of the year hopes Morocco can emulate that performance but admitted his main focus was on making a strong start to the tournament.
“We know the quality Brazil have and the players they’ve got,” said Hakimi.
“We’re thinking about starting in the best way, thinking about going as far as we can and to do better than last World Cup. But right now we’re thinking about tomorrow (Saturday) and doing the best we can.
“I think a game like that in a tournament like the World Cup, there aren’t favourites, it’s 50-50, it’s a very even game.”
