Portugal Coach Misidentifies Moroccan Players Ahead of World Cup Quarterfinal

In the pre-match press conference, the Portuguese coach recalled the performances of the Moroccans, led in particular by the stars Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi. In addition to these two players he cited, Santos stated that he has knowledge of the other players in Walid Regragui’s squad, claiming that several of them play in Greece.

"I remember the 2018 match a lot and I know a lot of players, especially because some play in Greece," said the Portuguese coach. A blunder perhaps, since none of the 26 Atlas Lions participating in the World Cup play in this championship.

The Portuguese has confused Nordin Amrabat, Sofyan Amrabat’s older brother, playing at AEK Athens and not selected by Walid Regragui for this World Cup. Former Greece coach between 2010 and 2014, Fernando Santos would be talking about Olympiacos striker Youssef El Arabi, not called up since 2021, or even Omar El Kaddouri who plays for PAOK and whose last appearance under the Moroccan jersey dates back to October 2020.