Morocco Poised to Advance in World Cup, Says African Coach

In an exclusive interview with Football365, the Hispano-Swiss technician affirms that Morocco has every chance of finishing top of Group F, against Croatia, Belgium and Canada. "Morocco’s first hope is Morocco! It’s a team that doesn’t make much noise, and yet all the planets seem aligned for them. For the first time since 1994, it is a Moroccan who is at the head of the team. It has not suffered any major last-minute withdrawals, except for that of Amine Harit," said Raoul Savoy.

And he added: "Yes, Croatia is the outgoing finalist and Belgium a serious contender, but Belgium can miss out and Croatia seems to me to be in decline. As for Canada, it is certainly the best North American team, but the competition in this area is not very dense, except perhaps Costa Rica and the United States. I see Morocco getting through. They are capable of grabbing second place. With Vahid, I would have been less optimistic, I am more so now."

When asked whether Walid Regragui had time to put his stamp on the team after Vahid’s departure three months before the World Cup, the Central African coach replies without ambiguity: "There were too many tensions with Vahid. As for the stamp, I would say that football is rather a matter of state of mind. This change soothes and reassures, the criticism is less harsh than with a foreign technician. And the new deal will make the outcasts [Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, editor’s note] want to prove that they were right."