Morocco Coach Considers Tactical Shift for World Cup Qualifiers

Noussair Mazraoui in the left-back position? Although he is used to the right-back position, Walid Regragui intends to put him in this position during the matches against Niger and Tanzania, according to a source within the technical management of the Moroccan national team. Several reasons justify this choice. There is the excellent level currently displayed by the Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi with his club, PSG. This possible change of position is also explained by the injury of the star of the Egyptian club Al Ahly, Yahya Attiat Allah. The third reason: the drop in performance of the Raja Club Athletic player, Youcef Belamri, as well as the lack of experience of the new arrival at Real Valladolid, Adam Aznou.

According to the same source, it is likely that the coach of the Moroccan national team will reposition certain players, such as the top scorer of the Emirati club Al Ain, Soufiane Rahimi, who could play either on the right side or on the left side during the matches against Niger and Tanzania. This option is justified by the decline in form of the AS Monaco player, Eliesse Ben Seghir, as well as the striker of Real Betis, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. These two Moroccan internationals have lost their status as starters within their respective clubs.

The Moroccan national team will face Niger and Tanzania on March 17 and 24, 2025, as part of the fifth and sixth rounds of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Walid Regragui will announce the final list of players who will be called up for the training camp at the Mohammed VI Center in Rabat on March 13, during a press conference.