Morocco’s Regragui Aims to Match African Coaching Milestone at World Cup

"I can play many different styles," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui this month. "I admire Guardiola, Simeone and Ancelotti, but I also have my own style that allows me to adapt the team based on the qualities of the available players."

The former defender has never participated in a World Cup, but is steeped in experience. He led Wydad Casablanca to a surprise victory in the final of the CAF Champions League against defending champions Al Ahly in May after six successful years at FUS Rabat. He also won the Qatari title with Al-Duhail in 2020. His triumph in the Champions League earned him the nickname the "Moroccan Guardiola," a nickname given by a Tunisian commentator.

Ranked in Group F, Morocco, who begin their sixth participation in the 2022 World Cup final phase on Wednesday, will face Croatia (finalist of the last edition), before crossing swords with Belgium (eliminated by the Blues in the semi-finals of the previous edition), and finally Canada (returning 36 years after their only participation in 1986) on the 3rd day, hoping to repeat the feat of 1986: to pass the first round. Will Walid Regragui be able to achieve this performance, or even follow in the footsteps of Nigerian Stephen Keshi, who became the first local coach to lead an African team to the round of 16 in 2014?