The Moroccan national team ended its final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a friendly draw against Norway, but the performance has left coach Mohamed Wahbi facing mounting concerns ahead of a crucial opening match against Brazil national football team.
While the result itself offered some encouragement, the match exposed several weaknesses that could become significant problems once the tournament begins.
The encounter was viewed as Morocco’s final major test before entering the World Cup, with the coaching staff using the match to evaluate both the physical and tactical readiness of the squad.
Facing a Norway side built around a physical European style, the game provided an important measure of how the “Atlas Lions” might cope against elite opposition during the tournament.
Although the draw was considered respectable, Morocco emerged from the match with what many within the camp view as one major positive and three worrying warning signs.
Defensive Partnership Offers Encouragement
One of the clearest positives for Morocco was the performance of central defenders Chadi Riad and Issa Diop.
The pair displayed strong understanding and defensive discipline throughout the match, particularly when dealing with Norway’s attacking threats.
Despite the pressure created by Norwegian forwards Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, Morocco’s central defenders managed to reduce the danger and compete effectively in aerial duels.
Their display offered reassurance regarding Morocco’s defensive depth ahead of the World Cup and suggested the team may possess the physical resilience required to compete against powerful attacking sides.
The match also highlighted the emergence of midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi, whose freedom to contribute in midfield was viewed as another encouraging sign for the coaching staff.
Injuries Create Major Concern Before Brazil Match
However, the positives were overshadowed by injury problems involving two key players.
Noussair Mazraoui was forced off in the 29th minute, while Abde Ezzalzouli suffered an even more worrying setback shortly before half-time after collapsing and struggling to walk.
The injuries disrupted Morocco’s tactical structure and raised serious doubts about whether both players will be available for the opening World Cup clash against Brazil.
The loss of two important first-team players has left Wahbi facing a difficult challenge as he attempts to reorganise the squad within a short period of time.
Substitutes Fail To Make Impact
Another concern emerged from the performance of Morocco’s substitutes.
The coaching staff turned to the bench after the injuries, but the replacement players struggled to provide the same level of quality or cohesion.
The changes disrupted the team’s rhythm and contributed to Morocco losing control during important periods of the match.
The lack of understanding between starters and substitutes was particularly noticeable as Norway increasingly dictated the pace of the game in the second half.
That decline has intensified concerns about Morocco’s squad depth ahead of a demanding World Cup campaign.
High Pressing System Exposed
The friendly also revealed tactical weaknesses in Morocco’s pressing system.
The team’s aggressive pressing approach left large spaces behind the defence whenever possession was lost, while the midfield failed to provide sufficient defensive cover during transitions.
Those weaknesses were exposed during Norway’s second goal when Martin Ødegaard was able to break through the Moroccan structure and score with ease.
The goal highlighted what observers described as a structural problem in Morocco’s defensive recovery system.
With Brazil awaiting in the opening group-stage fixture, Wahbi now faces a race against time to correct the flaws identified against Norway.
Morocco’s defensive solidity through Riad and Diop may provide a platform for optimism, but improving defensive balance and preparing reliable alternatives from the bench have become urgent priorities before the tournament begins.
