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Rabat – Former Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has revisited the Atlas Lions’ historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, explaining how the team’s ambitions evolved from competing with the world’s leading nations to achieving a milestone for African football.
Speaking in a Coaches’ Voice masterclass, Regragui discussed his experience leading Morocco and offered a detailed examination of the 1-0 quarter-final victory over Portugal that made the Atlas Lions the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
The masterclass focused on Morocco’s tactical plan at Al Thumama Stadium, where Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive goal in the 42nd minute.
Regragui said Morocco’s objective changed after eliminating Spain on penalties in the round of 16.
“After eliminating Spain, our objective was no longer only to enter Moroccan history,” he said. “Our goal became to enter African history, because no African national team had previously reached a World Cup semi-final.”
Morocco then defeated Portugal to break that barrier, becoming the first African and Arab national team to reach the last four of the men’s tournament.
Ambition established before the tournament
Regragui said he made his expectations clear when the Royal Moroccan Football Federation approached him about taking charge of the national team shortly before the tournament.
He told federation officials that Morocco should not travel to the World Cup merely to participate or celebrate qualification. The Atlas Lions, he argued, needed to believe that they could compete and produce a historic result.
Regragui admitted that he had not expected Morocco to reach the semi-finals. However, he was convinced that the team had the quality to progress beyond the group stage and write a new chapter in the country’s football history.
Morocco topped a difficult group containing Croatia, Belgium and Canada before overcoming Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Atlas Lions then defeated Portugal through En-Nesyri’s header, withstanding sustained late pressure despite Walid Cheddira’s dismissal.
Regragui described the emotions he experienced when the final whistle confirmed Morocco’s semi-final place.
He said his first thoughts were of his family, including his parents and siblings, as well as the Moroccan people who had followed the team’s journey.
At the same time, the scale of the victory encouraged him to believe Morocco could go even further and win the tournament.
A tactical blend of two football cultures
Regragui also explained how his experiences in France and Spain shaped his coaching identity.
The former Morocco international said he sought to combine the Spanish emphasis on possession and technical control with the defensive organization and tactical discipline traditionally associated with French football.
Against Portugal, Morocco began in a 4-1-4-1 formation and operated largely through a compact middle block. The players were instructed to close central passing lanes without retreating too close to their own penalty area.
When Morocco regained possession, the team attempted to draw Portugal toward one side before quickly switching play into the space on the opposite flank. That approach contributed to the winning goal, which followed a cross from Yahya Attiat-Allah and En-Nesyri’s towering header.
Regragui later changed Morocco’s defensive structure after Cristiano Ronaldo entered during the second half. Badr Benoun’s introduction allowed Morocco to use three central defenders and provide additional protection against Portugal’s two strikers and aerial threat.
The team eventually finished the match in a 5-3-1 shape after Cheddira received a red card. Regragui said the victory depended not only on tactical preparation but also on the players’ mentality, collective spirit and willingness to defend for one another.
World Cup success requires repeated experience
Regragui maintained that competing for a World Cup cannot be achieved overnight.
He argued that Morocco must repeatedly experience the latter stages of major tournaments, including quarter-finals and semi-finals, to develop the competitive mentality traditionally associated with football’s most successful countries.
Morocco’s 2022 campaign ended with a 2-0 semi-final defeat to France before the Atlas Lions lost the third-place match to Croatia. Even so, their fourth-place finish remains the best World Cup performance by an African national team.
Regragui stepped down as Morocco coach in March 2026 and was succeeded by Mohamed Ouahbi. He left after three and a half years in charge, with his tenure defined above all by the historic achievement in Qatar.
