Mustapha Hadji: Mohamed Wahbi’s Barcelona influence gives Morocco attacking flexibility

Mustapha Hadji says Morocco manager Mohamed Wahbi has been influenced by Barcelona’s style and believes the national team have plenty of attacking options despite using PSV Eindhoven and Bayern Munich player Ismail Saibari as a false nine at the 2026 World Cup.

Saibari impressed in the role and emerged as one of Morocco’s standout performers during the tournament, even though he is not a traditional centre-forward.

Hadji rejected the suggestion that Morocco are facing a shortage of recognised strikers, pointing instead to the range of young attacking players available to Wahbi. He also said the manager’s tactical flexibility allows him to use different systems and player profiles.

“We have young attacking options who stood out at the youth World Cup, including Yassir Zabiri, who plays in the Spanish league,” Hadji said in a filmed interview with Kooora, which will be published later. “I do not believe the Moroccan national team have a crisis in that position.”

Saibari led the attack at the World Cup, but Hadji said that reflected Wahbi’s willingness to adapt rather than a lack of alternatives.

“It is true that Saibari led the attack at the World Cup even though he is not a classic striker,” he said. “But Mohamed Wahbi can use his players in more than one way, and he has been influenced by Barcelona’s style.”

The former Morocco international added that Wahbi could use a false nine in a similar fashion to Pep Guardiola during his time at Barcelona, as well as Hansi Flick in his current approach.

Hadji also highlighted Saibari’s versatility, saying the player can operate as a number nine, a number 10 or on either wing.

Hadji backs Yamal despite Spain decision

Hadji also defended Lamine Yamal’s decision to represent Spain rather than Morocco, saying the Barcelona forward remains strongly connected to his Moroccan heritage.

Yamal made his Spain debut in September 2023 and has achieved significant success over the past three years, winning the World Cup and European Championship despite being only 19.

“Although Yamal represents Spain today, we Moroccans love and support him, and we consider him to have Moroccan blood,” Hadji said. “He was young when he made the decision, and he plays for Barcelona, the biggest club in the world. He was under pressure, and it would have been difficult for him to turn down the opportunity to play for the Spanish senior team at such a young age.”

Hadji acknowledged that Yamal’s presence would have made a major difference had he chosen Morocco, but said the player should not be criticised for his choice.

“It is true that having Yamal with the Moroccan national team would have made a huge difference,” he added. “But thank God for everything. Today, 40 million Moroccans support him with Spain.”