The teacher standing in Mbappe's way: remarkable rise of Morocco's Ouahbi
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 09.07.26. | 18:03
Once a schoolteacher in Brussels and mentor to stars like Lukaku and Tielemans, 'Coach Momo' now stands one win away from leading the Atlas Lions into the World Cup semi-finals (11 pm)
Mohamed Ouahbi has never followed the path typically associated with a World Cup coach.
He was never a professional footballer, nor did he build his reputation by collecting trophies at the highest level. Instead, for much of his early career, he worked as a physical education teacher in Brussels, spending his days with children aged between six and 12 before heading to the training ground each afternoon to coach football.
That unique journey has now taken the 49-year-old to the biggest stage of all. Better known as "Coach Momo", Ouahbi will lead Morocco into their World Cup quarter-final against France (Thursday, 11 PM), knowing victory would secure a historic place in the last four.
Born in Brussels to Moroccan parents, Ouahbi's bond with the Atlas Lions began as a child while watching the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco became the first African nation to reach the knockout stage. Although he grew up and built his career in Belgium, that connection with his family's homeland never faded.
Ouahbi has spent more than 20 years studying the game, obssesing over it.
— Elias (@isbkch) July 8, 2026
Ouahbi is different, because rather than focusing on today's stars, Ouahbi builds tomorrow's, learning from the 17 years he spent at the prestigious Anderlecht academy developing youths: discipline,… pic.twitter.com/ChOP2SX7po
He began coaching at just 21 with Maccabi Brussels before earning a life-changing opportunity in 2003 when Anderlecht invited him to join their renowned academy at Neerpede.
What started with the club's Under-9 side evolved into a remarkable 17-year spell. Ouahbi climbed through the academy ranks, becoming one of Anderlecht's most respected youth coaches and serving as an assistant with the senior team during different periods.
Along the way, he helped shape some of Belgium's brightest talents. Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku and Dodi Lukebakio all developed under his guidance. Even Remco Evenepoel, now one of cycling's biggest stars, spent time in Ouahbi's teams before choosing a different sporting path.
"We had Remco at Anderlecht until the Under-19s," Ouahbi recalled earlier this year.
Education has always been central to his coaching philosophy.
"When I worked in Anderlecht's academy, we noticed that the players who reached the first team were usually those who had completed their secondary education," he explained.
"Football today is highly structured. Players need discipline, and education helps them enormously in that respect."
WHO WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP
Spain (4.50)
England (6.00)
France (2.85)
Argentina (5.00)
Norway (17.0)
Belgium (35.0)
Switzerland (35.0)
Morocco (35.0)
It is an approach shaped by years in the classroom before being transferred into the dressing room.
After a short spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Fateh, working alongside Yannick Ferreira, Ouahbi received the call that transformed his career. In 2022, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa appointed him as the country's Under-20 head coach after closely following his work in Belgium.
The decision quickly paid off. Within three years, Ouahbi had built a talented, disciplined and tactically mature young side that went on to lift the FIFA Under-20 World Cup by defeating Argentina in the final.
Following the dismissal of Walid Regragui, Morocco's federation turned to Ouahbi to lead the senior national team ahead of the World Cup. The appointment surprised many, given his lack of experience at senior international level, but the federation's faith has been rewarded.
With an average age of just 26.4 years, Morocco are the tournament's third-youngest squad and one of its standout performers.
"Young people are often criticised for not listening to those with more experience," Ouahbi said. "But this group is the opposite. They listen carefully to the coaching staff and to the senior players. There is enormous mutual respect."
That philosophy has become the foundation of Morocco's rise. Now, with France standing in their way, Coach Momo is just one victory from writing another extraordinary chapter in one of football's most unlikely success stories.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Quarter-finals
Thursday
23.00: (1.60) France (4.00) Morocco (6.20)
Friday
22.00: (1.65) Spain (4.00) Belgium (5.50)
Sunday
00.00: (4.00) Norway (3.70) England (1.90)
04.00: (1.75) Argentina (3.50) Switzerland (5.50)
***odds are subject to change***