Published on 6/29/2026
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Last update: 15:24 (Mecca time)
Moroccan national team coach Mohamed Wehbe expressed a critical stance towards the 2026 World Cup tournament system, considering that the current formula does not seem ideal from a sporting standpoint, despite his assertion that it will not be used as an excuse before the expected confrontation against the Netherlands in the round of sixteen.
During the press conference that preceded the match, Wehbe stressed that talk about fairness in the tournament system remains relative, explaining that the teams were aware in advance of all the details of the competition since the draw of the draw.
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He said in this context: “The regulations were known before the start of the competition, and therefore there is no room for objection now,” adding that if he had had a fundamental reservation, he would have expressed it before the start of the tournament.
Despite this, the Moroccan coach did not hide his observations about the complexities of the new system, especially regarding the calculations of the best thirds and the varying conditions for playing matches.
He considered that keeping some teams waiting for the results of others creates a competitive problem, citing the case of teams such as Scotland, which play without knowing their final fate, while other teams are able to play their matches with full knowledge of the data.
Wehbe believes that the ideal solution remains difficult to achieve in light of the tournament’s connection to regulatory and commercial factors, most notably television broadcasting rights, saying that holding all matches at a unified time “is the most appropriate solution in theory, but it is not possible in practice.”
He added that the current system may develop in the future, but it is “not final or ideal,” even if it approaches well-known competitive models such as the Champions League.
Morocco and Netherlands match
On the sports front, the Atlas Lions enter this confrontation after finishing the group stage in second place behind Brazil on goal difference, which led them to a strong confrontation against the Netherlands national team led by Ronald Koeman, who considered in previous statements that the Moroccan national team is the most likely candidate.
However, Wehbe stressed that “the real candidate is decided only on the field,” adding that respect for Morocco has become a reality in world football thanks to long and continuous work, but he stressed, in return, that this respect must be translated into performance and results inside the green rectangle.
The Moroccan coach also expected an integrated confrontation at all levels, saying that it would not be decided by the technical or physical aspect only, but rather required complete mental and tactical harmony, which is what the technical staff has worked on since the beginning of the tournament.
Regarding the issue of dual nationality players, Wehbe was keen to calm the atmosphere surrounding some members of the team who grew up in the Netherlands, stressing that they were dealing with the match with great calm.
He explained – based on his personal experience as a holder of Belgian nationality – that the player may have a connection to his country of residence without this affecting his sporting affiliation.
He added that the players are “Moroccans above all,” and that their primary goal is to achieve victory for Morocco and not to enter into complex emotional calculations or prove themselves against another country, stressing that the full focus is on performance on the field.
