Atlas Lions Roar Again: Ounahi and Rahimi Propel Morocco to Historic Quarter-Finals

The scene in the stadium was electric early in the second half when Azzedine Ounahi smashed the ball into the back of the net to put Morocco ahead against Canada. On the touchline, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi wagged a delighted finger—a gesture that surely masked a massive wave of relief. Just five months ago, stepping into the shoes of Walid Regragui, the most successful coach in Moroccan history, seemed an almost impossible task. Yet, Ouahbi has seamlessly navigated the pressure, guiding the Atlas Lions to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. Thanks to the pivotal performances of Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco not only ended Canada's World Cup dreams but also etched their name into the history books. They have officially become the first African side to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on two separate occasions. As reported by Guardian Football, there is little doubt that this current iteration of the Moroccan squad is playing an upgraded, more dynamic brand of football. To fully appreciate Ouahbi’s relief and triumph, one must look at the shadow cast by his predecessor. Regragui was heavily scrutinized during the 2025 Cup of Nations—a tournament Morocco hosted and might still technically win pending a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling. To the outside world, the criticism of Regragui seemed incredibly harsh. After all, this was the manager who masterminded a legendary World Cup semi-final run in Qatar, suffering only four defeats in his entire 49-game tenure. The central debate surrounding Regragui's exit was whether his tactics were genuinely too defensive, or if that pragmatic style was simply the necessary blueprint for Morocco to survive against elite global competition. Regardless of the answer, Ouahbi has proven that the Atlas Lions can evolve. Rather than crumbling under the weight of Regragui's legacy, Ouahbi has unlocked a new tier of attacking flair. While matching a World Cup semi-final finish remains a tall order, reaching the quarter-finals with such commanding, entertaining performances validates the Moroccan Football Federation's bold coaching change. As Canada packs their bags and heads home, Morocco marches on, proving that their footballing renaissance is no accident, but a continuing ascent.