Morocco’s national football team coach, Walid Regragui, said Friday that the tactics adopted against Niger “worked well” and enabled the Atlas Lions to secure a 5-0 victory, stressing that “the main thing is qualification for the next World Cup.”
“I would like to thank the players who lived up to expectations. We tried to raise the tempo in order to push the opponent into making mistakes. We did the job of scoring early,” he said at a press conference following the Atlas Lions’ qualification for the 2026 World Cup, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
“We hope to keep this momentum going. Destiny had it that the qualification ticket was secured at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, an architectural gem and a source of pride for Morocco,” he added.
This marked the 13th consecutive victory for the Atlas Lions, even though “it’s never easy to always win at home,” Regragui continued, adding that “we can try new things in the next match against Zambia. It is essential to stay united as a group, even if some players will not play on Monday, they will support their teammates.”
Turning to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be held in Morocco, Regragui acknowledged that the tournament will not be easy. “We need the support of our fans until the very end. It’s a huge responsibility, but we are capable of meeting this challenge,” he affirmed.
“The final squad for AFCON will only be decided at the last minute. There are still spots up for grabs, even if the core of the team is already in place,” he added.
Regragui also stated that Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi deserves both the African and the World Ballon d’Or, as he is a player who “always gives his maximum,” noting that the PSG right-back “played even while injured and tired. He is an exemplary player.”
With this victory, Morocco, which booked its ticket for the American World Cup—set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—two rounds before the end of the qualifiers, consolidated its position as group leader with 18 points from six wins in six matches, followed by Tanzania (10 pts), Zambia and Niger (6 pts), and Congo (1 pt).
The 2026 World Cup will thus mark Morocco’s seventh appearance in the tournament’s final stage and its third in a row (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).
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