In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Record, Morocco assistant coach João Sacramento reflected on his time with the Atlas Lions, describing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a dream fulfilled and reaffirming that his priority remains continuing the project led by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
The Portuguese coach said football has been his passion since childhood and that participating in a World Cup had always been one of his biggest career ambitions. When Morocco approached him in March 2026, he said, accepting the offer was an easy decision.
“I wanted to thank Morocco for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a dream, which was to take part in a World Cup. I felt I couldn’t let that opportunity pass me by. A World Cup is something unique, and you may only experience it once in your career,” he said.
Sacramento stressed that returning to an assistant role after his experience as a head coach was never a step backward.
“I don’t see it as a step backward. Quite the opposite. It has probably been the most enriching experience of my career, and I will always be grateful to Morocco for this opportunity,” he added.
The Portuguese coach also highlighted Morocco’s impressive run at the 2026 World Cup, where the Atlas Lions once again established themselves among the world’s top national teams after their historic campaign in Qatar 2022.
According to Sacramento, Morocco’s success is the result of years of long-term planning rather than chance.
“Today, Morocco is ranked sixth in the world and has just overtaken Portugal. That also reflects the strategy Morocco has implemented over the past 10 or 12 years under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The results are now visible. It is not luck; it is the outcome of a very solid project.”
He also said one of the aspects that impressed him most after joining the national team was the squad’s collective mentality.
“Morocco has fascinated me because of its deep sense of patriotism. No one is bigger than the country, and there is no room for egos.”
Sacramento also reflected on the early stages of his coaching career, revealing that José Mourinho was the inspiration behind his decision to become a coach. He described working alongside Mourinho as an assistant coach as “a privilege” and said he learned a great deal from the man he considers his “idol.”
The Portuguese coach also disclosed that his contract with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) includes a clause allowing him to leave should he receive an offer to become a head coach. However, he insisted he has no intention of leaving the Moroccan project unless the right opportunity presents itself.
“I have no intention of walking away from this experience with Morocco. It would have to be a project truly worth pursuing,” he said.
“It has to be the right project, one that is well structured, makes sense, and is something I genuinely connect with. As young coaches, we have to choose our first project very carefully.”
Sacramento added that he is open to coaching in Portugal or abroad, provided the club and its project are the right fit.
The Portuguese tactician joined Morocco’s coaching staff in March 2026, just months before the World Cup, to strengthen Mohamed Ouahbi’s technical team ahead of the tournament. Morocco went on to reach the quarterfinals, and Sacramento says the experience has marked a turning point in his coaching career.
