Morocco coach & Hakimi confident they can start World Cup with result against Brazil

"We are very happy to be here," the coach began, "We feel that the World Cup is really heating up, so we can't wait to answer your questions."

"It's clear that the atmosphere is positive. We are very confident. We trust in the physical condition of the players, in what we have put in place, and in the principles and values we have instilled. Ultimately, it will be the matches we win that will show us where we stand, but we already saw that against Norway.

"I think we are in a good position to start the tournament. And the goal is to improve match after match. So I have no complaints."

He addressed the withdrawals of two important players in Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayek Aguerd, who picked up injuries.

He continued: "All the players are fit, even though it's true that we replaced two of them, but everyone else is in good shape, so everyone can play, everyone is ready to play.

"We won't change our principles much. We've shown good things and we'll keep showing them by staying true to our principles."

He concluded: "Just because we're playing our first World Cup match, it doesn't mean we'll change everything. We had also considered the possibility that some players might not be available. So for us, not much changes.

"We feel sorry for Abde and also for Naef, because they are very important players who were about to take part in a World Cup, but we had already found solutions, and the most important thing is to be able to find them. So we are confident and will continue to do what we usually do."

Hakimi confident the Atlas Lions are ready

PSG player Achraf Hakimi, when asked about the challenge of facing Vinicius Jr. and Brazil, said:

"I think everyone knows the Brazilian national team, we know Vinicius' qualities. I've already played against him many times and he's a great player. To defend against Vinicius and the other Brazilian players, who are all top-level, you have to defend as a team, with clear ideas.

"I believe that we have trained and prepared for this kind of match. I think the team is ready. Personally, I feel ready and I have the confidence needed to play a great match and deliver a great performance."

The full-back is confident that his side can go toe to toe with the most successful side in World Cup history.

"As I have already said, we know well the opponent we will face tomorrow," he said.

"We know Brazil, its history, the quality of its players. But we also have quality. In Africa, they call us the 'Brazilians of Africa.' We are talented players and we have our strengths.

"I believe we are ready to do something important, with confidence and with the support of all Moroccans. I think we can have a great World Cup and start well already tomorrow."

Morocco became the first African nation ever to make the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022, but Hakimi isn't yet thinking about getting to the last four or further again.

"We are completely focused on the first match, on tomorrow. We want to start in the best possible way. Then we will think match by match, trying to go as far as possible and do better than at the last World Cup. But right now we are only thinking about tomorrow, about delivering the best possible performance and winning the match, which is what we want."

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