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Rabat- Head coach Walid Regragui is preparing the Atlas Lions to secure three more points to qualify for the World Cup’s round of 16.
A draw for Regragui is not enough even if it allows the Atlas Lions to move to the next phase of the World Cup.
“We will manage this match in the same way we did in the first two games, without paying attention to calculations…,” Regragui said in a pre-match briefing today.
The Atlas Lions coach wants the team to secure three more points to qualify for the next phase.
“Playing for a draw would be a big mistake. We will play this match like we did in the previous ones, we will aim for victory once again,” Regragui told the press.
Morocco secured a well-deserved victory against Belgium on Sunday, defeating the Red Devils by 2-0.
The first opening game for Morocco finished with a 0-0 draw against Croatia on November 23. Morocco now has four points and it is just a few steps away from qualifying for the round of 16.
Commenting on Thursday’s game, Regragui said that Canada has a good team with “many good players.”
“They don’t have much to lose and even more. So they will certainly try to push us. We have a lot of respect for them, just like we did for Croatia and Belgium,” he said.
Regragui’s predictions are right, as Canada is determined to do its best against Morocco tomorrow.
Canada’s football coach John Herdman is determined to secure a win against Morocco following its few losses against Belgium and Croatia.
“This last game is about getting a result and winning for Canada, and really making this country believe that we’re in the right direction for 2026,” he said.
Regragui, however, is confident that the Atlas Lions are ready to defeat Canada.
Regragui, however, reported some injuries among players, saying that Morocco’s infirmary has “never been empty. A lot of players had to play with injuries and weren’t really 100%.”
Last week, the medical team for Morocco’s national squad reported several injuries, including among Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui.
Despite the injuries, both players played against Belgium on Sunday.
“I always say players have to be fully prepared to come into my team. It’s true that physically they weren’t 100% ready, but mentally they were and they showed it. This is the state of mind that we will seek to have on Thursday against Canada,” the coach said.
Morocco will play against Canada on Thursday at 16:00 Moroccan time at the Al Thumama Stadium, in Qatar.
