Latest news with #AtlasLions'
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Morocco draws Brazil, Mexico, and Spain in thrilling U-20 World Cup Group
The draw for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, held on the evening of Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Santiago, Chile, has placed the Moroccan national team in Group C, alongside Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. This edition promises thrilling and high-level matchups. The Atlas Lions' youth team earned their spot in this global tournament, set to take place from September 27 to October 19, 2025, after finishing as runners-up at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, following an impressive performance in the tournament hosted recently by Egypt. Facing three of the world's strongest teams in this age category, Morocco's task will be a formidable one. Their participation will serve as a crucial test and an opportunity to showcase the progress of Moroccan football on the international stage.
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco's Goalkeeper Bounou to Reportedly Miss Tunisia, Benin Friendly Matches
Rabat — Morocco's national team coach Walid Regragui has reportedly decided to replace goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and call up a new goalkeeper. The Moroccan star will be missing for the upcoming training camp due to his commitments with Al Hilal in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Bounou is expected to miss Morocco's friendly matches against Tunisia and Benin as part of preparations for upcoming competitions, forcing Regragui to seek new options for the goalkeeper position. Reports informed that Atlas Lions' third-choice goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid will also be missing from Morocco's upcoming squad due to his participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with his club, Wydad Athletic Club. Local sports media reported that Regragui has decided to call up Moroccan football club Royal Army's (FAR AS) goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani to replace Bounou during the international camp in June. The step is part of the technical staff's broader vision to allow national goalkeepers to reveal their technical prowess, especially following Hamiani's impressive performances with the FAR AS in both the Moroccan League and the African Champions League this season. Sources revealed that the Atlas Lions' coach will also call up Maghreb de Fes's (MAS) goalkeeper Salah El Din Chehab to replace Benabid. This means Munir Mohamedi will serve as the first-choice goalkeeper during the upcoming international break. Read also: Yassine Bounou Honored in Madrid's Football Legends Museum This move is part of Regragui's efforts to expand his options in the goalkeeper position, especially with several continental and international competitions approaching, most notably the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan national team will face Tunisia on June 7, followed by a match against Benin on June 10. Both matches are part of the national football team's preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. These friendly fixtures will provide valuable testing grounds for the new goalkeepers as Morocco continues to build depth in every position ahead of important competitive matches later this year. Tags: FootballMoroccoWalid Regraguiyassine bounou
Morocco World
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘He Felt Spanish': Regragui Reveals Details of Lamine Yamal's Spain Choice
Doha – Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui disclosed the behind-the-scenes conversations that led to Lamine Yamal's decision to represent Spain instead of Morocco. Speaking on Tuesday night's Spanish television program El Chiringuito, Regragui detailed his pursuit of the Barcelona prodigy and accepted the player's choice with professional understanding. 'Lamine Yamal is a generational talent that we tried to bring to the Moroccan national team, but it wasn't possible,' Regragui stated. 'What he's doing at his age is incredible.' The Moroccan coach revealed multiple phone conversations with the young star, presenting him with the federation's ambitious projects. 'I had several telephone conversations with Yamal,' he said. 'I presented him with our projects for Morocco, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup,' Regragui explained. The coach confirmed discussions extended beyond the player himself: 'We spoke with the family, with him, and with his lawyer. It was the first case I had when I arrived at the national team.' According to the coach, Yamal's response came with respect and clarity. 'Two days later, he called me with respect and said 'Coach, thank you for the affection, but I'm going to choose Spain. I feel Spanish.'' 'He explained that he had been playing with Spain since youth levels, so I wished him the best, especially for his honesty and sincerity with me throughout the process,' the Atlas Lions' tactician reflected. Regragui praised the young player's directness throughout the process. 'We tried everything with the project we have with Morocco, with the African Cup in our country, with the 2030 World Cup, with all the affection the country could give to Lamine. But the boy never lied. He didn't play games about being Moroccan or Spanish.' 'Every Moroccan told me about Lamine,' Regragui added. 'They said 'there's a star at Barça and the priority for Morocco is to bring him.' We did everything, but he made his choice, so good luck. That's football.' 'I want to win the African Cup, the country deserves it' During the same interview with Josep Pedrerol, Regragui outlined his ambitions for Morocco's upcoming tournaments. 'I want to win the Africa Cup, the country deserves it. The passion for sport is incredible. There isn't a day when a Moroccan doesn't ask me to win,' he declared. The man behind Morocco's World Cup run also addressed his future with the national team. 'I have a contract until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but in this job if you don't win, decisions come quickly,' he acknowledged. Since taking the helm, the coach has maintained a consistent winning rhythm, with Morocco remaining undefeated in official matches since June 2023. The team has suffered only one defeat in their last 20 encounters, building solid momentum ahead of their upcoming tournaments. When questioned about playing style, Regragui offered his philosophy: 'Playing well means being decisive in the final 30 meters and having possession, but always with the opponent's goal in mind.' He added, 'In football, as in all other sports, what fans want is to win.' Read also: Lamine Yamal Crowned World's Best Young Player with 2024 Kopa Trophy Tags: lamine yamalWalid Regragui
Ya Biladi
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
«We dominated from start to finish», Regragui says after Morocco's World Cup qualifiers
Estimated read time: 2' Speaking after the Atlas Lions' World Cup qualifier against Tanzania on Tuesday, Morocco's national team coach, Walid Regragui, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance despite what he called «little details» that need improvement. «We dominated possession, controlling 80% to 90% of the game», Regragui told Arryadia. «We created plenty of chances, and against Niger, we had everything under control. Towards the end, there were some technical errors and a bit of relaxation, which gave them a few opportunities, but overall, we were in command from start to finish». His comments came in response to criticism of the Atlas Lions' narrow 2-1 win against Niger. La longue réaction de Hoalid Regragui au micro d' @arryadiatv très heureux de la quasi qualification. Il répond également aux critiques. Qu'en pensez-vous ? — SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) March 25, 2025 Regarding Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Tanzania, Regragui said: «We built this victory step by step. In the first half, the opposing team ran a lot, and we knew they would tire in the second half. That's where we had the advantage. We secured a 2-0 win, scored four goals in two matches, and maintained a perfect 15/15 points. We're progressing well, and I'm very happy with the players. We are now 99% closer to World Cup qualification». Responding to further criticism of the team's performance in both matches, Regragui defended his squad's approach: «We have built a strong team. Everything is going well, but if I had to go into details, I'd say we could have been more clinical in the first half, attacking more centrally. But strategically, we allowed them to run, knowing that in African football, exhausting the opposition is key. Just like against Niger, once they were tired in the second half, we took control and scored. The first goal always opens up the game and makes everything easier». He expressed pride in his players, particularly given the challenges they faced: «I'm extremely proud of the players, especially considering that many of them are competing in the Champions League and Europa League. Despite fasting during Ramadan, they did what was required and secured six crucial points». Regragui also emphasized the team's long-term goals: «We already have a solid team, and we are building it to peak at the Africa Cup of Nations. One of our key objectives was World Cup qualification. It's not official yet, but we've achieved six consecutive wins in the AFCON qualifiers and five straight victories in the World Cup qualifiers. That's something to celebrate».
Morocco World
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘We Were Asleep': Regragui Frustrated with Morocco's Performance Against Niger
Rabat – Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, did not hide his disappointment after the Atlas Lions' relatively underwhelming 2-1 victory over Niger in Oujda on Friday night. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Regragui criticized his team's performance . He particularly took issue with the team's display in the first half, stressing the need for greater intensity and focus. 'It was a tough match. I didn't like the first half—we wasted 45 minutes for nothing. Until the 55th minute, we played poorly; we were asleep in the first half,' he said. Regragui admitted that it took Niger's opening goal in the second half to wake his players up. 'The substitutions changed everything,' he explained. 'Niger's goal was a wake-up call for us. After that, we returned with a different mentality.' Despite securing the win, Regragui was not satisfied with the wasted opportunities and the lack of sharpness from his squad. 'We missed many chances. We've learned from our mistakes, and we need to stay grounded. The quality is there, but competition for places is tough. Players who sleep and don't give their all will stay on the bench.' He acknowledged that, despite the difficulty of securing a 2-1 victory over Niger, the match would greatly benefit the national team by helping identify its weaknesses. 'We learn more from such difficult matches than from matches where we win by seven goals to zero,' the coach explained. Read also: Morocco Triumphs 2-1 Over Niger in World Cup Qualifier He suggested that yesterday's underperformance might be due to his players' underestimating the Nigerien team, an attitude he described as deplorable and worrisome. 'Despite the victory, I am worried. Perhaps the previous matches, where we won by 5 or 7 goals, made the players approach this training camp with a relaxed attitude. Maybe my approach should be stricter,' Regragui said. He concluded: 'Any player who comes to wear the national jersey should not play with 50 or 60 percent of their potential, so I will make the right decisions.' The Moroccan coach also highlighted the crucial support of the Oujda crowd in helping his team turn the game around. 'The supporters in Oujda helped the national team get back into the game,' he suggested. 'If the match had taken place in another city, we wouldn't have received the same support after falling behind.' When asked about the team's central defense, Regragui explained his decision to test Jawad El Yamiq, noting that Talbi might be available for the next match against Tanzania, while Osame Sahraoui's participation remains uncertain. As Morocco prepares for its next match against Tanzania on March 25, Regragui's message is that complacency will not be tolerated, and that players must prove they deserve their place on the team. Tags: 2026 world cup qualifersMoroccoNigerWalid Regragui
