Morocco's coach exudes confidence, declaring fearlessness before facing Brazil in World Cup debut.

Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco's head coach, expressed his confidence on Friday that his team should not be intimidated by the prospect of facing Brazil, the record five-time World Cup winners, in their opening match.

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The Atlas Lions are set to clash with Brazil in New Jersey on Saturday, a highly anticipated group stage match that is fueled by memories of their remarkable semi-final run four years ago in Qatar.

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According to Ouahbi, who took over as Morocco's coach in March, replacing Walid Regragui, the upcoming match will be a crucial indicator of the team's standing, but he believes they are well-prepared to start the competition.

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Ouahbi emphasized the importance of self-confidence and respect, stating that while Brazil may not be the same team they once were, they still command respect, and his players should not fear them but rather approach the match with confidence.

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Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup, achieving the best performance by an African and Arab nation, and knocking out Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals, a significant improvement from their previous World Cup performances.

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This time around, Morocco's circumstances are different, with the team currently ranked seventh in the world, just one place behind their Group C rivals, Brazil.

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Ouahbi asserted that his team is not afraid, having entered a new era of respect and recognition, with the goal now being to sustain this level of performance and become genuine contenders.

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Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender and reigning African player of the year, was a key member of Morocco's squad at the last World Cup and hopes to replicate that success, but his primary focus is on making a strong start to the tournament.

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Hakimi acknowledged Brazil's exceptional quality and talented players, but emphasized that his team is focused on starting the tournament on a positive note and performing to the best of their abilities.

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Regarding the upcoming match, Hakimi believes that, in a tournament like the World Cup, there are no clear favorites, and the outcome is largely unpredictable, making it a 50-50 game.