Morocco’s Coach Regragui Sets Sights on AFCON 2025 Qualifiers, World Cup Prep

This match "will help us prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March as well as the AFCON. It will also be an opportunity to assess our progress in order to improve our efficiency," said Walid Regragui. From an xG score (1.24) in line with their goal average (1.25 goal) in 2023, the Atlas Lions have moved to an xG score of 2.05 for an average of 1.75 goals per game. To reverse this trend, the Franco-Moroccan coach is counting on a complete group "after a good week of preparation".

The U-23 bronze medalists in Paris are on the list of Atlas Lions called up for the match. "The players who played in the Olympics continue to progress. But the A team is not the Olympic team. It’s another level. However, I have trusted this group, there is competition. All the lights are green to achieve our goal," Regragui assured. He also explained the choice of certain players in difficulty in their clubs. "What matters is that the players play regularly. They have found solutions. I want happy players who have regained their level," he said.

And he added: "I hope they will have playing time and continue to give to this selection. They have not joined very high-level clubs, but they all play in good clubs. The essential thing is that the transfer market problems are resolved".