Morocco Coach Regragui Details Ziyech’s National Team Comeback Ahead of World Cup

After the departure of coach Vahid with whom he no longer had a good relationship, Hakim Ziyech had to go back on his decision not to play for Morocco anymore. Walid Regragui is one of the architects of this return of the Chelsea attacking midfielder to the national team. In an interview with L’Équipe, he said that it was the most difficult selection stage, "because he (Hakim) was angry about the situation. He no longer answered, so I went through a mutual friend." He then managed to talk to him and lay the groundwork for the "World Cup" project.

"The priority was that we be unanimous, the players as well as me, on his return. I couldn’t see Morocco at the Qatar without its best elements. We couldn’t afford it if we wanted to win," confided the young Moroccan coach from Corbeil-Essonne.