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Morocco coach Walid Regragui says his side remain focused despite having already booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions face Zambia on Monday, September 8, a match coming two days after Morocco’s 5-0 win over Niger in Rabat.
Speaking at a press conference in Zambia, Regragui stressed that every fixture matters. “When we play for Morocco, we must always look for victory,” he said. “The fans expect a lot from us and we are here to make them happy, Inshallah.”
He acknowledged the challenge posed by Monday’s opponents: “Zambia want to prove their place in Africa. It will be a big game and we hope the fans enjoy a good spectacle,” he said.
Regragui also suggested changes could be made to the line-up after a demanding schedule for many of his players. “I might change about 80% of the starting eleven because some players, like Hakimi, need rest. But we trust the substitutes because they can make an impact,” he added.
The coach dismissed suggestions that Morocco rely primarily on their defensive solidity. “Unlike what some believe, we have the strongest attack in the qualifiers. We scored more than 40 goals in 12 matches, which shows we have quality across the pitch.”
Regragui added that the team know how to adapt to different situations. “Sometimes we have to defend because the opponent is strong, sometimes we use our attacking power to settle things. The key is to respect the rival and work seriously.”
Looking ahead, he pointed to the long-term ambition: “We want to remain at the top in Africa and the world, and we will continue to work to meet the expectations of Moroccans.”
Morocco lead Group E on 18 points, with two fixtures still to play against Zambia tomorrow and Congo Brazzaville in October.
