Morocco 'focused on World Cup' amid AFCON final controversy

Morocco's Bilal El Khanouss (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Paraguay at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on March 31, 2026. [Francois LO PRESTI / AFP]

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi insisted Tuesday that his side was fully focused on the upcoming World Cup after a 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay, despite the ongoing controversy of January's Africa Cup of Nations final.

"We are focused on the World Cup. We have had 10 days together where I honestly haven't felt as though anyone has been distracted," the recently-appointed Ouahbi said of his team in Lens, in northern France, where Tuesday's game took place.

Morocco beat Paraguay thanks to goals by Bilal El Khannouss and Neil El Aynaoui, with Gustavo Caballero replying for the South Americans.

The win for Morocco came on the back of a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in Madrid on Friday, as the Atlas Lions prepare for the World Cup in which they will go into Group C along with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.

"Our job, as a staff and as players, is to prepare for the World Cup," added Ouahbi, who was appointed in early March to succeed Walid Regragui.

"The federation's job is to protect the team. We are in good hands and we are very confident."

Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in the AFCON final, but Senegal were stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football in mid-March as a punishment after several of their players walked off the pitch during that game in protest at a penalty awarded to the hosts.

Morocco were therefore declared champions, but Senegal have appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.