“I want to thank the players, who lived up to expectations. We tried to raise the tempo in order to push the opponent into mistakes. We did the job to score early,” Regragui told the press conference after Morocco sealed their World Cup 2026 spot at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
“We hope to keep this momentum going. Fate wanted us to clinch qualification at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, an architectural jewel that makes Morocco proud,” he added with satisfaction.
This win marked the 13th consecutive victory for the Atlas Lions, though Regragui acknowledged that “it’s never easy to keep winning at home.” Looking ahead, he said, “We can try things out in the next match against Zambia. It’s essential to stay united as a group. Even if some players won’t play on Monday, they will support their teammates.”
“There’s strong competition within the squad. In midfield and attack, we have a lot of options. It’s a good headache to have when choosing the starting eleven,” the coach remarked.
Turning to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Morocco will host, Regragui admitted the challenge will be tough: “We need the support of our fans until the end. It’s a heavy responsibility, but we are capable of rising to it.”
“The final list for the AFCON will only be decided at the very last moment. There are still places up for grabs, even though the core of the team is already in place,” he noted.
Regragui also expressed strong praise for team captain Achraf Hakimi, saying the PSG right-back “deserves the African and world Ballon d’Or because he always gives everything. He played even while injured and tired. He is an exemplary player.”
With this victory, Morocco, already qualified with two games to spare, consolidated their lead at the top of the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches. They are followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (6 points each), and Congo (1 point).
The 2026 World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark Morocco’s seventh appearance on football’s biggest stage and their third in a row (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).
Editorial team/le7tv