CAN 2025 - Morocco: Strong denial regarding Walid Regragui ahead of the round of 16

Africa 02 January 2026 at 04:08

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

Morocco has sought to make things clear regarding Walid Regragui ahead of the start of the CAN 2025 round of 16, kicking off this Saturday.

Following the draw against Mali (1-1), Walid Regragui made some bold decisions, leaving key players like Jawad Al-Yamiq and Sofyan Amrabat on the bench during the third matchday of CAN 2025. The strategy paid off, as the Atlas Lions went on to crush Zambia (3-0). Morocco thus secured a spot in the round of 16 of CAN 2025.

However, rumors have since surfaced suggesting that the starting eleven for the third match was imposed by National Technical Director Fathi Jamal. This prompted a swift response from the man himself, defending Regragui's authority. "A small minority is trying to destabilize our coach. They want to take away the credit for this great victory, for qualification, and for the adjustments he made," he told Média24.