Showcasing his skill as both a coach and a builder of success, Mohamed Ouahbi reflected on Morocco's historic U20 World Cup triumph, saying that winning the title had always been the team's ultimate goal. After an epic 2–0 victory over Argentina in the final, the coach stressed that «no team was more or less favored, the only objective was to win». After three years of relentless work preparing for the U20 World Cup in Chile, Mohamed Ouahbi can finally savor the reward, for himself, his staff, and his players. Following a hard-fought final against Argentina on Sunday night, Morocco triumphed 2–0, becoming the first Arab and only the second African nation to lift the U20 World Cup trophy, after Ghana in 2009. The victory also marks a historic first for the Atlas Cubs, forty-eight years after their debut in the global tournament. In his post-match press conference, a visibly emotional Ouahbi expressed immense pride while insisting that the win was a team effort. «Many people will talk about me, but I want to thank my staff. People mention me for using the green card to our advantage, but that wasn't my decision. The decision to play the third goalkeeper in the semi-final wasn't mine either, it was the staff's», he said. «I'm not alone. I have an incredible team that works hard and deserves just as much credit. I don't want to be seen as the only protagonist of this victory». Reflecting on the final against Argentina, Ouahbi described the rival team as «experienced and full of history». «We knew they were aggressive, that's football, not a criticism. We just had to stay calm. We scored early, missed a few, but scored others. They had great players, and we defended brilliantly», he said, praising the unity and discipline of his squad. Fans from Around the World Behind the Atlas Cubs From the opening matches, Morocco's style and spirit won over fans far beyond its borders, particularly Chileans, who adopted the Atlas Cubs as their own. Ouahbi said he was deeply moved by the «incredible» atmosphere in the stands. «It wasn't just because we played against Argentina that the fans supported us», he said. «From the beginning, Chilean fans saw a united, high-quality team giving everything for its country. People admire not just the physical effort but also the technique and tactical intelligence». Feeling that the world was watching, Ouahbi said the team knew that «being first in the group wasn't enough, we had to win it all». «This celebration marks a historic moment, a first for me, and for Morocco», he added. «Thank you to the Chilean fans, to those who came from Morocco and abroad, and to everyone who followed us from home», Ouahbi continued. «We truly felt their presence. We turned the weight of responsibility into energy. The most important thing is that the players know they have a whole community behind them». «We Didn't Wait Until 2030 to Win» The coach also stressed that no team was inherently stronger or weaker, «the only thing that mattered was playing our game and winning the World Cup». He highlighted the commitment of players like Yassir Zabiri, Yassine Jassim, and Othman Maama, who fought to represent Morocco despite resistance from their clubs. Ouahbi reflected on football's deeper role in Morocco as a tool for motivation and unity. He noted that King Mohammed VI's investment in the sport aims not only to develop football but also to inspire self-belief among Moroccan youth. «The message is for all young Moroccans, believe in yourselves, in your potential, in your work, in your studies, in everything you do. With energy and confidence, and with God's help, you'll succeed. It goes beyond football», he said. With a smile, he concluded: «We knew we had to win, and you've seen the result — we're world champions. We didn't have to wait until 2026 or 2030 to do it with the senior team».
