Mohamed Wahbi, the coach of Morocco, described his team's match against Canada as the most important match for his team in the World Cup.
Morocco plays against Canada on Saturday evening in the round of 16 of the Arab Cup.
Mohamed Wahbi, the coach of Morocco, said in a press conference: "We respect the Canadian team a lot, it is a strong team with a lot of quality. What will make us win is not what we have presented in previous matches, but what we will present on the field."
He added, "Shadi Riad suffered a knee bruise in the last match, and the injury does not seem serious. We will assess his condition, but whoever participates will be 100% ready."
He continued, "I told the players that facing Canada is our most important match in the World Cup, and perhaps one of the most important matches in my coaching career, and I think it will be the toughest."
He emphasized, "I liked the Canadian team a lot. It has clearly developed compared to the 2022 version, it is a very organized team, has a clear identity, and knows what to do with and without the ball, even in throw-ins."
He continued, "In such tournaments, mental preparation is more important than physical. When a player is mentally strong, he can overcome fatigue, and our numbers confirm that we run more and at a higher pace after each match."
He answered, "Diaz? When it comes to one of our best players, it is natural for everyone to expect more from him. He is doing important work, and I am confident that he will continue to develop during the tournament."
He emphasized, "We give our players a lot of freedom on the field, and we try to create organized chaos with a lot of movements, in line with the characteristics of the Moroccan player and his technical and physical abilities."
He concluded his statements, "Our defensive solidity is not just the effort of the defenders, but it is the result of collective work. We defend well and do not give opponents many chances, and this gives us confidence before facing Canada."
The Moroccan team will face its Canadian counterpart on Saturday, July 4 at 8 PM.
An English refereeing team led by Michael Oliver will officiate the match between Canada and Morocco.
This is the first time Michael Oliver will officiate a match involving either the Moroccan or Canadian teams.
The refereeing team is as follows:
Referee: Englishman Michael Oliver
First Assistant: Englishman Stuart Burt
Second Assistant: Englishman James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: Dutchman Danny Makkelie
Reserve Assistant Referee: Dutchman Hessel Steegstra
The winner of the match between Canada and Morocco will face the winner of the match between Paraguay and France in the World Cup quarter-finals.
