World Cup 2022 group guides half 24: Morocco | Morocco soccer group

This text is a part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2022 Specialists’ Community, a cooperation between among the finest media organisations from the 32 international locations who certified. theguardian.com is working previews from two international locations every day within the run-up to the event kicking off on 20 November.

The plan

Having did not qualify for 4 straight World Cups the Atlas Lions adopted up their participation in Russia 4 years in the past by qualifying for Qatar, ending prime of their group after which beating DR Congo 5-2 on mixture within the playoff.

Morocco’s finest World Cup got here in 1986 after they stunned everybody by not solely qualifying from a bunch consisting of England, Poland and Portugal however successful it. Within the final 16 they pushed Germany all the best way however misplaced to a Lothar Matthäus strike within the 88th minute.

Is progress from the group stage a chance once more? Effectively, Morocco certified for Qatar regardless of a number of of the primary gamers from 2018 now not being a part of the group, corresponding to Medhi Benatia, Karim El Ahmadi, Mbark Boussoufa and Nordin Amrabat. Nevertheless, Walid Regragui has a robust squad at his disposal with the likes of Romain Saïss, Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou providing expertise having performed at a World Cup. “Once you’re within the World Cup, it means you earned it,” says Saïss. “We’re going to Qatar with no stress however our purpose is obvious: to qualify for the second spherical.” That activity was made more durable by the harm suffered Amine Harit on the weekend. A blow for the participant, coach and the group.

In August 2019, with the departure of Hervé Renard, the group began a protracted strategy of rejuvenation below the surveillance of Vahid Halilhodzic, one of the crucial charismatic but unfortunate coaches on the planet. The Bosnian shook up the squad, managing to mix inexperienced gamers with the previous guard and taking the group to the World Cup. Nevertheless, a poor Africa Cup of Nations and a fallout with the star ahead Hakim Ziyech price him his job in August; it’s the third time he has taken a rustic to a World Cup however left his put up earlier than the beginning of the event. Regragui changed him with little or no time to organize.

The coach

A nationwide group participant between 2001 and 2009, Walid Regragui is the primary Moroccan coach for the Atlas Lions since Badou Ezaki (2014-2016). He was born in Paris to Moroccan mother and father and began his teaching profession as assistant to Rachid Taoussi (2012-2013) however it was clear that he wanted to study extra in regards to the gamers in Morocco’s home soccer earlier than shifting up the ladder. Was first observed on a nationwide stage when he took FUS Rabat to their first league title in 2016. In 2020 he joined Al Duhail SC and gained the Qatari league with them however his largest triumph got here when he gained the African Champions League with Wydad AC, beating Al Ahly in Casablanca. “Efficiency, efficiency … There may be your efficiency,” he shouted on the press convention after the sport as he had been criticised for enjoying defensive soccer.

Star participant

Achraf Hakimi is Morocco’s surprise boy. “Hakimi is a phenomenon. I’ve by no means seen anyone like him and I’m virtually 70,” Halilhodzic mentioned of the Paris Saint-Germain full-back. “He’s taking part in wonderful soccer and I’m not certain his teammates are taking part in the identical sport.” The feedback brought about controversy however with time Hakimi has proved to be a world-class participant – and there aren’t that a lot of these from Morocco. Born in Madrid to Moroccan mother and father, he got here via the Actual Madrid system after which shone at Borussia Dortmund and Internazionale earlier than his transfer to PSG. Has by no means thought twice about representing Morocco and the nation hopes he’ll carry out at his prime stage in Qatar.

Unsung hero

Identical to his older brother, Sofyan Amrabat is a raging bull on the pitch however in contrast to Nordin, the Fiorentina midfielder is much less loud off it. “It’s good to share the nationwide group journey with my brother,” Sofyan as soon as mentioned. “Once we performed within the 2018 World Cup he instructed me: ‘We’ll face all people head-on.’ Since that second, that phrase turned my motto.” For Morocco he has the essential position of anchoring the midfield and defend the defence, making him one of the crucial vital gamers of the group. Nevertheless, his place additionally means that he’s not the obvious selection when children decide their idols.

Possible lineup

Qatar stance

“Qatar is placing collectively an unprecedented World Cup in terms of organising it. With none doubt, Qatar is honouring the entire Arab world,” says Fouzi Lekjaâ, the president of the Moroccan FA. It’s a view shared by many Moroccans as the 2 international locations have an excellent relationship. In 2017, when many international locations within the Gulf area imposed a blockade on Qatar, Morocco helped the nation by sending necessities. Qatar can also be house to many Moroccan staff and aside the previous worldwide Abdeslam Ouaddou, who gained a case in opposition to a Qatari membership after he claimed that they had did not pay him for six months after which withheld his exit visa, few folks have expressed complaints in regards to the nation.

Nationwide anthem

Nobody is sort of certain in regards to the actual origins of the Moroccan Cherifian Anthem however it was composed within the early twentieth century as a homage to the Sultan Moulay Youssef, below the French protectorate. However the lyrics are probably the most fascinating half as they got here to prominence throughout a World Cup, in line with legend. In 1969 King Hassan II demanded that lyrics have been added to the music and a poet referred to as Ali Skalli Lahssaini wrote them. Apparently the primary time Moroccans heard it sung by many individuals on the similar time was via a stay broadcast of Morocco’s first sport at Mexico 1970. Probably the most memorable verse is the final one “Bi Shi-ar Allah, Al-Watan, Al-Malik (With the motto: God, homeland, king)”.

All-time cult hero

Badou Ezaki was the captain of the Atlas Lions that made historical past by changing into the primary African group to qualify for the second spherical of a World Cup in 1986. Within the group stage in Mexico the goalkeeper carried out heroics in opposition to world-class forwards corresponding to Zbigniew Boniek and Gary Lineker. He’s broadly considered among the best African goalkeepers of all time and had a six-year spell with Mallorca in Spain. He retired in 1993 to develop into a supervisor, ultimately teaching his nation too. Honorary mentions must also go to Salaheddine Bassir, who scored twice in opposition to Scotland on the 1998 World Cup and Noureddine Naybet, who is taken into account by many as the most effective ever Moroccan participant when it comes to longevity and setting an instance, and completed his taking part in profession with two years at Tottenham. Together with Bassir, Naybet gained the Spanish league with Deportivo La Coruña.

Mohamed Amine Elamri writes for Le Matin. Observe him here on Twitter.