Walid Regragui, the manager of Morocco, believes that players with European ancestry have significantly aided his team’s efforts to advance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
His 26-man roster in Qatar had 14 players who were born outside of Morocco, including Achraf Hakimi, who was born in Madrid and made the game-winning penalty against Spain to advance the Atlas Lions to the quarterfinals.
Morocco are the last African side following the exit of African champions Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia and Cameroon and also the only remaining Arab team left in the tournament.
“I passed my diplomas in France, but it is my country of origin which gave me a chance,” Regragui said.
“I had to give back to the federation what they gave me, the confidence… to be able to grow in Morocco as a coach.”
“I think they all showed the world that every Moroccan is Moroccan,” added Regragui.
“When they come to the national team, they want to kill for Morocco. We have some who were born in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain…
“Each country has its own football culture, you mix it up, and you go to the quarterfinals.”