Morocco's wheelchair basketball team aim for strong World Championships return
Moroccan wheelchair basketball player Zouhair Challat is targeting a strong performance at the Ottawa 2026 IWBF World Championships The IWBF World Championships will take place between 9 and 19 September in Ottawa, Canada 09 Sep 2026
Zouhair Challat hopes Morocco can use the Ottawa 2026 IWBF World Championships to re-establish themselves among wheelchair basketball's best teams.
Ottawa 2026, which takes place from 9-19 September, will mark Morocco’s first appearance at the World Championships since Hamburg 2018. It is the team’s return to the world stage after missing out on the 2022 World Championships in Dubai and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“We want to represent Morocco and the African region well, because despite our lack of competitive matches, training camps and tournaments, we’re going to battle it out against the top teams to put on a good show and entertain our fans,” he said.
In March, Challat was named men’s MVP at the IWBF Africa Championships, where he helped the team defend their crown. Morocco defeated South Africa 59-42 in the final to secure back-to-back titles and a ticket to Ottawa 2026.
Challat said the strength of the team lies in the pride of playing for the national team.
“The strengths lie in our team spirit and atmosphere, as this team is brimming with determination to win despite our limited budget. The team never gives up, no matter how difficult things get, because we’re all giving our all to represent our great nation.”
To the world stage
Challat got into wheelchair basketball because of the Moroccan national team. He bumped into their coach, Uchest Rafael, in the Moroccan capital Rabat and was introduced to what he now describes as a “wonderful sport.”
Challat, who now plays for French wheelchair basketball team Elan Chalon, said he loves the team camaraderie and credits it for helping him improve his everyday life.
“My training schedule consists of daily shooting and physical conditioning sessions, plus weight training. In the evening there’s team training every day during the week and high-level games on the weekend.
“This level of competition helps me improve so that I can play at my best, the consistency is essential for me.”
The World Championships provide Morocco with opportunities to play against top teams. Challat is especially looking forward to playing against Germany in a rematch of their first game of Hamburg 2018.
In 2018, Germany beat Morocco 84-40, but Challat is hoping to show how much his team has grown since then.
“It was an intense and special match, and I really respect them as a team. We’re going to give it our all, because it’s hard to win and earn respect of a team at the same time,” he said.
He also highlighted that these World Championships give Morocco a chance to help their younger players gain international experience.
“We’ve made some changes to the roster since 2018 and now we are focused on developing our pool of young players to strengthen the team and secure its future.”
The Ottawa 2026 World Championships
The Ottawa 2026 World Championships will bring together the world’s best athletes for 11 days of competition, which will take place across two venues: The Arena at TD Place and the Carleton University Raven’s Nest.
Morocco are up against some tough competition in Ottawa. They will open their campaign against hosts Canada, and will face European powerhouses and Paris 2024 bronze medallists Germany in Group D.
The group stage will take place from 9-13 September in the men’s tournament and 9-15 September in the women’s tournament. The medal games are set to take place on 19 September.
In the men’s tournament, all eyes will be on reigning Paralympic champions USA, who are looking to become back-to-back world champions and claim their eighth World Championship title overall. Other teams to watch include Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallists Great Britain, as well as Asia and Oceania champions Australia.
The women’s tournament features 12 teams including Paris 2024 Paralympic champions Netherlands, silver medallists USA and bronze medallists China.
Paralympic dreams
With less than two years to go until the LA28 Paralympic Games, the World Championships will give fans a preview of all the exciting action they can expect when the next Paralympics open on 15 August 2028.
The LA28 Paralympics will feature eight teams each in the men’s and women’s tournaments.
The Moroccan men’s wheelchair basketball team’s only Paralympic appearance was at Seoul 1988. Challat hopes that will change.
“Competing in the Paralympic Games would be a source of great pride, and it’s every athlete’s dream to take part. I would see it as a great achievement for me and my family, and for all the sacrifices I’ve made for this wonderful sport.”
Please visit the IWBF website for more information about the World Championships
