Walid Regragui – AFCON glory only language in Morocco

The 50-year-old has already etched his name into history, guiding the Atlas Lions to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup – the first African nation to achieve such a feat – and now steering Morocco into the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in two decades.

Yet, despite those successes, Regragui faces growing calls for dismissal should Morocco

fail to lift the AFCON trophy this month.

The Atlas Lions must first overcome Nigeria in Wednesday night’s semifinal before potentially meeting either Senegal or Egypt in the final.

Asked why his job security appears uncertain even with another World Cup just five months away, Regragui admitted surprise but said the scrutiny reflects Morocco’s football culture.

“Yes, it’s a good question. I was waiting for this question from Moroccan journalists, but it’s good that it comes from you,” he said.

READ: How can I watch Morocco take on Nigeria in the 2025 AFCON semi-final on Wednesday?

“In my country, when you are the coach of the national team, you must accept this. Every day you have critics. I always do my best for my country. Sometimes you make mistakes – that’s football – but I stay focused on my team, and that’s what matters.”

Regragui’s standing soared after Qatar 2022, where Morocco finished fourth, but criticism resurfaced following a round of 16 exit at the subsequent AFCON.

The Moroccan FA stood by him, yet expectations have now escalated, with the continental title viewed as non-negotiable.

“I fight for my country every time I can. What is important is what you do on the pitch,” he added. “When you have only four defeats in three-and-a-half years, a World Cup semifinal and now an AFCON semifinal, normally nobody should speak. But in Morocco, it’s different. You win, then you speak. You must accept it and keep working.”

Should his tenure end, Regragui insists the next coach must at least match his standards and embrace the winning mentality.

“We hope the next coach of Morocco, Inshallah, can do even more than I did,” he concluded.