New Morocco Coach Regragui Faces Time Crunch to Prepare for World Cup

Walid Regragui has no time to waste. He must prepare the friendly matches against Paraguay and Chile in Spain, scheduled for this September. He could call up the Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech who had refused to play for Morocco under the orders of the Franco-Bosnian technician Vahid Halilhodzic with whom he had a falling out. These matches are essential for Morocco. With a solid team and the experience of the new coach, the Atlas Lions could repeat their 1986 success, when they were the first African team to reach the round of 16.

Morocco has been drawn in Group F, made up of Belgium, third in the last World Cup, Croatia, the current world vice-champion, and Canada, which is returning to the World Cup, 36 years after its last participation. Walid Regragui’s protégés will start the competition by facing Croatia, before crossing swords with Belgium, and finally Canada in the 3rd round.