Mohamed Ouahbi Continues as Morocco's National Coach
Despite facing significant criticism from fans and media alike, Mohamed Ouahbi has been confirmed to remain as the head coach of the Moroccan national football team. This announcement came from the national football association just one week after Morocco's exit from the World Cup quarter-finals, where they suffered a defeat against France with a score of 0-2. Ouahbi took over the coaching role merely three months prior to the World Cup, succeeding Walid Regragui, who notably led the team to the semi-finals in 2022, marking the first time an African nation reached that stage in the tournament.
Upcoming Final and Notable Appearances
In a related context, Argentine President Javier Milei has decided to forgo attending the World Cup final, citing superstitious beliefs. He expressed his commitment to watching the matches from the presidential seat instead of breaking his luck ritual. This decision stands in contrast to that of Spain's King Felipe VI and former U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom are expected to be present at the stadium during the final showdown between reigning World Cup champions Argentina and European champions Spain on Sunday at 21:00 CEST.
As the excitement builds for the final, there are concerns surrounding Spanish star Lamine Yamal, who missed team training just three days before the final due to a thigh injury sustained during the semi-final match against France. Reports from the sports newspaper Marca indicate that coach Luis de la Fuente remains unconcerned, viewing it merely as a precautionary measure.
Donald Trump’s attendance is anticipated to mark the conclusion of what has been described as the "most-watched, safest, and most successful World Cup in American history," according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. Furthermore, FIFA has previously announced that Trump is slated to present the trophy after the match at MetLife Stadium.
The fervor of the Argentine fans was palpable, even reaching former player Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was playfully embraced by enthusiastic fans after his commentary stint. Argentine radio station Mitre humorously noted the moment, as Schweinsteiger had historically faced Argentina in prior World Cups.
In a lighter moment, images of Norwegian star Erling Haaland and his newly acquired raccoon plush toy have gone viral, leading to a sales surge at the store where he purchased it. The store's owner, Cody Newport, reported record sales following Haaland's visit, showcasing the influence of sporting personalities on merchandise.
As the final approaches, England's recent exit has sparked discussions around coach Thomas Tuchel's decisions during the semi-finals, with former players like Gary Lineker humorously suggesting potential espionage theories. Meanwhile, the upcoming halftime show for the final promises a star-studded lineup featuring global icons such as Madonna and Shakira, although it raises concerns regarding the length of the halftime break and its possible impact on players' performance, as noted by sports medicine experts.
With the air quality in New York affected by surrounding wildfires, there are uncertainties about how this may influence the final on Sunday. Nevertheless, reports indicate that Thomas Tuchel is likely to retain his position despite the criticism, with expectations for him to lead England into the 2028 European Championship.
As reported by zdfheute.de.
