It was Argentina’s World Cup in Qatar but before Lionel Messi’s magic moment, the other team to light up the tournament was Morocco. Morocco was the first African side to ever reach the semi-finals. They defeated European heavyweights in the process. The combination of their defensive organisation and astonishing intensity made it difficult for them to play, let alone be beaten. The preparation time is even more impressive.
Walid Regragui, the coach that made it all happen, had taken over his first match less than two months before the World Cup. The speed at which he was able to galvanize that group of players is remarkable, and a testimony to his coaching ability.
Regragui told Sky Sports that “we had just a few short months to refocus players, adapt them to the system I wanted to implement and convince them to buy in.” “I am so happy that they have accepted. We showed a true face to this national team.It changed lives. The status of many players changed, and so did the Moroccan football. In one month, they won more matches than in all previous World Cups combined. “It had a huge global media impact,” says he. “Managing the success was not an easy task.”
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa shocked Morocco by eliminating them. It made us think about the future. The squad needed to be rejuvenated, with a focus on short- and long-term objectives.
Building a team for AFCONNow that Morocco is hosting the AFCON tournament this month, it will be the most successful men’s national football team in history. The run has now reached 18 games, breaking Spain’s 15-game record against Congo. This is a completely new team.
It is in a way a legacy from Regragui’s time in Qatar. However, it also represents the promise of things to come. Morocco has qualified for the World Cup next summer and will be hosting the World Cup after that. It encourages players to select them.”It’s much easier if you give them the opportunity to join a World Cup semifinalist with the possibility to play at the next two World Cups.” Eliesse Benjamin Seghir is only 20 and plays for Bayer Leverkusen. Bilal El-Khannouss is only 21 years old and plays for Stuttgart.
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Brahim Dáz, a Moroccan who scored during World Cup qualifiers…
2025-12-17 10:00:00
