Ounahi and Rahimi put Morocco in World Cup quarter-finals and end Canada’s journey
Morocco defeated Canada in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, becoming the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals twice. The victory marks a successful transition under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, despite internal debates regarding football infrastructure spending.
Why it matters
This match represents a significant milestone for African football on the global stage and highlights the socio-political tensions surrounding sports investment in Morocco.
Azzedine Ounahi soaks in the applause after opening the scoring. Azzedine Ounahi soaks in the applause after opening the scoring. World Cup 2026 Ounahi and Rahimi put Morocco in World Cup quarter-finals and end Canada’s journey Jonathan Wilson at Houston Stadium Sat 4 Jul 2026 15.11 EDT Last modified on Sat 4 Jul 2026 17.50 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google As Azzedine Ounahi put Morocco ahead early in the second half, his coach Mohamed Ouahbi wagged a delighted finger. There was, perhaps, relief there too. In February he replaced the most successful coach in Morocco’s history, Walid Regragui, who may not have been popular by the end, but the idea that his successor might surpass his achievements seemed almost impossible. That may still be a way off but, five months on, Morocco have become the first African side to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice – and there’s not much doubt that they’re playing better.
The article balances sports reporting with objective socio-economic context regarding the Moroccan government.
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