After Morocco’s victory against Haiti on the third and final day of Group C at the 2026 World Cup, Bilal El Khannouss did not shy away from acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Atlas Lions. Despite the success and qualification for the Round of 16, the Moroccan midfielder admitted that the national team had not always displayed the expected level of commitment.
“We lacked humility at times. We weren’t going into duels at 100%, we weren’t playing the actions at 100%, and we gave them confidence,” Bilal El Khannouss stated after the match. These candid remarks reflect the scenario of a game in which Morocco faced some scares, particularly in the first half, against a Haitian team that capitalized on spaces and moments of relaxation.
However, the Moroccan player emphasized the group’s confidence in the project set up by Mohamed Ouahbi. “We have a game system with the coach, and the group believes in it. The first part of the competition is over,” he continued, highlighting that the Atlas Lions must now turn the page on the group stage.
Now qualified for the Round of 16, Morocco enters a new dimension of the competition. Bilal El Khannouss is fully aware of this: “We are going to start the next phase, and it will be: you win and you continue, or you lose and you go home. The group is aware of that.”
This statement serves as a warning ahead of the knockout matches. While Morocco secured the essentials against Haiti, the Atlas Lions know they will need to display greater rigor, intensity, and concentration to continue their journey in this World Cup.
