World Cup 2026: Morocco warned not to dwell on Brazil draw before Scotland test

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has warned his players not to get carried away by their impressive draw with Brazil as the Atlas Lions prepare for a crucial World Cup group-stage match against Scotland on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The North Africans opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, a result that strengthened belief around the squad and lifted Morocco to sixth in the provisional FIFA rankings.

But Ouahbi has made it clear that the point against one of the tournament favourites will mean little if Morocco fail to build on it against Scotland.

The Scots go into the match with three points after winning their opening game, while Morocco have one point and know victory would put them in a far stronger position before their final group match against Haiti.

For Ouahbi, the challenge is not only tactical but mental.

Morocco must move on quickly from the emotion of the Brazil result and prepare for a very different type of contest against a Scotland side expected to bring intensity, aerial strength and physical aggression.

Premier League experience key to Scotland test

Ouahbi believes Morocco’s players with experience in the English Premier League will be important in helping the Atlas Lions cope with Scotland’s physical approach.

Six of the players who featured against Brazil have played in the Premier League, including Issa Diop, Shady Riad, Noussair Mazraoui and Chemseddine Talbi.

That number would have been higher had Nayef Aguerd not been ruled out of the tournament through injury.

Morocco also played their opening match without another important attacking option, Abdel Samad Zalzouli, but still produced a strong performance against Brazil.

Ouahbi said Scotland will provide a different challenge and stressed the need for Morocco to remain compact and disciplined.

"The physical challenge from the Scots will be present in second balls or aerial play. Brazil were also physically strong, but we need to stay in a compact mass for as long as possible to have as many players as possible around the ball... We have a plan."

He added: "We need to control the game and keep our composure to avoid it turning into a series of quick counter-attacks from both sides. We shouldn't get too nervous. It's football; we have players in the Premier League, and they excel in that aspect, but we excel in other things as well."

Ouahbi refused to reveal too much about his tactical approach.

"I will not talk to you about our plan, but we are ready."

Morocco refuse to panic after injuries

Morocco’s performance against Brazil was made more impressive by the absence of key players, but Ouahbi said the squad had remained calm despite those setbacks.

The coach believes the team has enough depth and flexibility to adapt during the tournament.

"We are still fixing many things, and setting clear principles while leaving room for the players' creativity. There are some things I would have liked to do before the World Cup, but we have to do them during or after the tournament."

He added: "We have options for the starting lineup, and we have solutions everywhere, but we are calm. Even after losing Naif and Zalzouli, Morocco did not panic."

That calmness will be tested against Scotland, who are likely to make the match uncomfortable through direct play, pressing and physical duels.

Morocco won the midfield battle against Brazil and will need similar control if they are to stop Scotland turning the game into an end-to-end contest.

Ouahbi said the group table itself should keep his players focused.

"We have to turn the page on Brazil. Scotland are still ahead of us in the group, they have three points and we have one. We need to perform better, and just looking at the group standings will keep our feet on the ground."

Ounahi says Brazil point was not enough

Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi also insisted there is no sense of euphoria in the Morocco camp after the draw with Brazil.

The Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African team to do so, and Ounahi says their ambition in 2026 is to go even further.

"We know that this edition of the World Cup will be longer than the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and we have to manage the entire tournament correctly. We didn't come here just to face Brazil, put on a great performance, and then it's over."

He continued, "We want to go further than we did in Qatar. We all know we need to get a positive result against Scotland."

For Ounahi, the draw with Brazil was encouraging but not satisfying.

Morocco’s target is not to be praised for competing with big teams, but to collect enough points to move deep into the tournament.

He said the players are fully aware of the expectation from supporters back home.

"There are 40 million Moroccans behind us. We have an abundance of talent, we have a complete squad, and we hope to perform better than we did in Qatar. Our goal is to go as far as possible."

Scotland match could shape Morocco’s campaign

The Scotland match may prove decisive for Morocco’s group-stage ambitions.

A win would move the Atlas Lions into a strong position before facing Haiti, while a defeat would put them under pressure going into the final round of matches.

Ounahi said Morocco cannot afford to treat the match as less important than the Brazil opener.

"Tomorrow's match will be more important and more difficult. Scotland has 3 points, while we have one point, and we cannot forget that. We need to win so that our third match against Haiti will be easier for us."

Morocco have already shown they can compete with elite opposition.

Now they must show they can handle expectation, physical pressure and the need to turn strong performances into results.

After their historic run in Qatar, the Atlas Lions are no longer surprise outsiders.

They are a team opponents respect, and that means every match carries a different kind of challenge.

Against Scotland, Morocco will have to combine the quality they showed against Brazil with the discipline, patience and ruthlessness needed to win a match that could define their World Cup campaign.