Morocco’s Golden Generation Faces Pressure as CAN 2025 Looms: Regragui Under Scrutiny

Despite the record of 12 consecutive wins (undefeated in 14 matches), Walid Regragui is facing criticism from supporters and sports observers. They criticize the coach for certain choices, the lack of a clear playing style, the slow pace and the difficulty in creating scoring chances, despite the presence of a golden generation of stars and promising young talents. They are not very convinced about the ability of the Atlas Lions to offer Morocco its second continental title after that of 1976. The next edition of the CAN will take place from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco.

"If we base ourselves on the last matches (against Tunisia 2-0, Benin 1-0 in favor of the Atlas Lions) there are obvious shortcomings. This level is worrying," comments former international Fakhreddine Rajhi. He will add: "We have not progressed since the World Cup in Qatar, while we should have turned that page," in reference to the remarkable evolution of the Spanish and Portuguese selections since then. However, he qualified his remarks: "Despite all this, nothing is yet decided. Everything will depend on how we approach the competition and the level of our opponents."

According to sports journalist Hamza Hachlaf, the current fears are linked to the "Ivory Coast shock". Morocco had been eliminated in the round of 16 of the last CAN when the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) expected the Atlas Lions to reach at least the semi-finals. "We were living in an euphoric moment after the World Cup, then came a caricatural elimination that shattered expectations," adds Hachlaf. Regragui had been criticized after this early elimination due to his choices, including the call-up of injured or unprepared players, and his attachment to an ineffective playing style against teams that defended deep.

Despite this poor performance, the coach of the Atlas Lions has kept his position and the trust has been renewed, but the hopes of a change in method have not materialized, believes Hachlaf, adding that "the selection alternates between good matches and others weak, which sows doubt."