Hoalid Regragui discussed the strategy implemented to strengthen the Moroccan national team following its historic run at the 2022 World Cup. In a lengthy interview published on Tuesday, August 4, by The Coaches’ Voice, the former coach explained that he sought to convince several dual-nationality players to represent the Atlas Lions in order to increase the depth and competitiveness of the squad.
Eliesse Ben Seghir, Ilias Akhomach, Brahim Díaz, Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Anass Salah-Eddine, Chemsdine Talbi, and Adam Aznou are among the players mentioned by Regragui. This initiative directly addressed the lessons learned from the semi-final loss to France at the 2022 World Cup. The coach believes that Morocco already had very high-level players in its starting eleven, but did not yet have enough options to cope with injuries, fatigue, and suspensions during a long competition.
Regragui emphasizes that a team aiming to win the biggest tournaments must be able to rely on two or even three players capable of performing at the highest level in each position. According to him, Morocco also needed to develop a true culture of major events by regularly participating in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of international competitions. This progression is essential to gain the experience and mental strength of the best nations.
The former coach also recalled that he took charge of the under-23 team alongside his duties with the senior team. This role allowed him to closely monitor young talents who could join the Atlas Lions. This generation notably won the U23 AFCON in 2023 before securing the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Beyond the results, Regragui believes that the 2022 adventure has profoundly transformed the ambitions of Moroccan football. Where the idea of winning a World Cup once seemed unattainable, it now represents, in his view, a goal that players and supporters can genuinely believe in.
