Moroccan Player Ounahi Shines with Two Goals in 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals

Morocco secured its place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the second consecutive time, achieving an unprecedented milestone for both Arab and African football, largely due to the efforts of Ounahi, nicknamed "Al-Nuhayla" (a diminutive of "bee") for his slender physique and active movements across the field, as well as his decisive "stings."

Ounahi scored twice against Canada in the round of 16, netting goals in the 50th and 82nd minutes. These strikes freed his teammates and rescued them from a challenging situation against one of the three host nations, leading Morocco to a commanding 3-0 victory.

He became the second Moroccan player to score a double in a single World Cup match and the first since Salah Eddine Bassir's two goals against Scotland in the 1998 tournament. Ounahi is also the fifth African player to achieve this feat, following Egyptian Abdelrahman Fawzi against Hungary in 1934, Cameroonian Roger Milla versus Colombia in 1990, and Senegalese Henri Camara against Sweden in 2002.

Morocco struggled significantly during the first half, creating only one chance, but Ounahi's brilliance emerged in the second half. The "Atlas Lions" demonstrated their true quality by scoring three goals and maintaining their flawless run in the current edition of the tournament.

Ounahi was named the best player of the match but credited his teammates, stating, "The credit goes to the group, and I am very proud of them. We have players who start the match and others who finish it, just as it has been since the beginning of the tournament."

His standout performances in major matches echo his impact in the previous World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco made an unprecedented run to the semifinals, particularly noted during the round of 16 clash against Spain.

At that time, Spain's coach Luis Enrique expressed admiration for Ounahi, saying, "My God, who is this player? The player wearing number 8 played amazingly and never stopped running." Enrique mentioned discussing Ounahi's performance with his coaching staff and being surprised by his level of play.

Following the match, Ounahi told Agence France-Presse, "I did not hear Enrique’s comments because I was undergoing a doping test, but I am certainly happy about what he said. Praise from a great coach like Enrique is something any player would be proud of; it boosts morale and sharpens determination. It is rare for a rival coach to praise your abilities, especially one whose team you have eliminated from the World Cup."

That match marked the true breakthrough for Ounahi, who was then 22 years old and playing for Angers in France. He later transferred to Marseille, where he had an unsuccessful stint that included loans to Greek club Panathinaikos and Spanish side Girona, yet he maintained his strong performances with the Moroccan national team.

Ounahi’s Development and Early Career

Ounahi is the only starting player under coach Mohamed Wahbi who graduated from the local Mohammed VI Academy. Born on April 19, 2000, in Casablanca into a footballing family, his two brothers also played at the amateur level in Morocco. He is a cousin of former Royal Army defender Reda Mohannawi.

He began playing football at the age of five and joined Raja Casablanca’s youth teams before moving in 2015 to the Mohammed VI Academy near Salé, a city separated from the capital Rabat by the Bouregreg River.

In 2018, Ounahi joined Strasbourg in France but did not make any appearances. He then signed with the reserve team of Avranches in the fifth division in 2020 on a free transfer, where he established himself as the team's playmaker by showcasing his technical skills, dribbling, and decisive passing.

Ounahi transferred to Angers in mid-2021 on a four-year contract and secured a place in the starting lineup. He was called up by Bosnian-French coach Vahid Halilhodžić to represent Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. To date, he has earned 54 international caps and scored 11 goals.

Playing Style and Physical Profile

Ounahi has repeatedly stated that he draws inspiration from former stars Andrés Iniesta of Spain and Kaká of Brazil. His slender build and height of 1.82 meters make him vulnerable to injuries, especially given his high technical skills and the physical challenges posed by opponents.

He explained his playing style, saying, "In every match, I would finish with a hit on my ankle or knee," highlighting his skillful dribbling to extract the ball from crowded spaces.