Pressure is building around Mohamed Ouahbi and this time, it is not coming from poor results, but from a selection dilemma of opportunity.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, three Moroccan internationals are forcing their way into the conversation, turning what should be a routine squad selection into a complex balancing act.
And for Ouahbi, the question is no longer about options.
It is about choices.
Form That Cannot Be Ignored
At the center of the debate is Tawfiq Ben Tayeb.
The forward has quietly put together an impressive campaign with ES Troyes AC, delivering 13 goals and two assists in Ligue 2. His numbers reflect a player growing into his role — sharper, more decisive, and increasingly reliable in front of goal.
Yet, despite that progress, he remains more of a rising option than a guaranteed starter.
Which is where the dilemma begins.
Because Morocco are not short of attacking talent but they are searching for efficiency.
Control in Midfield
Then there is Imran Louza.
At Watford FC, the midfielder has delivered a complete season seven goals, nine assists, and a consistent presence in the engine room.
He is not just contributing.
He is influencing games.
Louza brings balance the ability to link defence to attack, control tempo, and provide end product. In a Moroccan setup that has occasionally struggled with cohesion in midfield, his profile offers something valuable:
Structure with creativity.
And in tournament football, that combination is gold.
A Finisher in Form
But perhaps the loudest case is coming from Yassine El Bakraoui.
In Portugal, he has been relentless.
Eighteen goals this season have pushed him into the spotlight, marking him as one of the most consistent scorers in his league. More importantly, his goals have come under pressure the kind of moments that often define international tournaments.
Morocco have created chances.
The problem has been finishing them.
El Bakraoui offers a potential solution.
A Good Problem… But Still a Problem
For Ouahbi, this is the kind of headache coaches welcome but it is a headache nonetheless.
Do you back experience?
Or do you reward form?
Do you trust the established names who understand the pressure of international football?
Or do you inject fresh energy from players who are performing week in, week out in Europe?
Recent friendly matches have already exposed concerns particularly in attacking efficiency. Chances have been created, but not consistently converted.
That makes these decisions even more critical.
Because at the World Cup, margins are thin.
And missed opportunities are costly.
What This Means for Morocco
This moment could shape Morocco’s entire campaign.
The emergence of Ben Tayeb, Louza, and El Bakraoui has expanded the tactical possibilities — from a developing striker hungry to prove himself, to a composed midfield controller, to a clinical finisher in peak form.
But expansion also brings complication.
Every inclusion means an exclusion.
And every decision will be scrutinized.
Final Thought
This is no longer just about picking the best players.
It is about building the right team.
For Mohamed Ouahbi, the clock is ticking and the pressure is rising.
Because when form is knocking this loudly…
