The 26-year-old played a key role in helping the Atlas Lions reach the semi-final of the tournament, becoming the first African country to achieve the feat.
Amrabat, who features for Serie A side Fiorentina has been linked with a move to several clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and other European clubs like Barcelona and Juventus.
“With all the respect due to Fiorentina, Amrabat should play for one of the top 10 clubs in the world,” Regragui said during an interview with Morocco’s TV Arryadia as quoted by DailyMail.
“Amallah and Ounahi will surely find better clubs and the same is true of Ziyech who proved what he can do. He should be a starter at Chelsea.”
Amrabat has made 18 appearances across all competitions for Fiorentina this season.
Following his team’s incredible run at this year’s event, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui thinks there will be more pressure on African nations at the following FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions were the first country from Africa to advance to the final four of the international competition, but they were defeated by the reigning champions, France.
Morocco lost again to Croatia who clinched a play-off victory on Saturday. Josko Gvardiol gave Croatia the lead on seven minutes but Achraf Dari levelled just two minutes later. Mislav Orsic restored Crotia’s lead three minutes before half-time.
“There will be more expectations now for other African teams seeking to go on the same sort of run we achieved,” Walid Regragui said.
“Morocco has shown that (African teams) are capable and not far off (the top teams), so the difference between European teams and African teams is smaller than it’s ever been, and it comes down to the very small details.
“That’s going to be a real boost for African football.”
The 2026 World Cup which will held across the USA, Canada and Mexico will be expanded to 48 teams and Africa will have at least nine slots.
In preparation for Morocco’s semi-final match against France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, head coach Walid Regragui has reportedly declared a state of emergency in the team’s training facility.
The source added that the coach forced the players to hand over their phones to the team’s management, with the aim of putting them in a state of full concentration.”
The players only get on their phones for two hours a day in the evening, and then they go to their rooms, in order to go to sleep.
This is the self-discipline believed to have helped the team to this far at the tournament.
The Atlas Lions became the first African country to progress to the last four after beating Portugal 1-0 courtesy of striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who leapt highest to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball at Al Thumama Stadium.
Following the victory, Regragui also became the first African coach to lead a team to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Morocco’s clash against holders France will take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
The coach of Morocco Walid Regragui has predicted that his team would make it difficult for France to defeat them before their 2022 World Cup semi-final match in Qatar.
The Arab nation became the first African nation to advance to a World Cup semifinal after defeating Portugal 1-0. At Al Thumama Stadium, striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored the game-winning goal in the first half by leaping highest and outjumping goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball.
France, on the other hand, defeated England 2-1 to reach the semis.
“We’ve played some really top sides, but so far we haven’t achieved anything,” said Regragui, who only took over as coach in August.
“Anyone who plays us now will have to be at the top of their game to beat us, it won’t be easy for them, that’s the message I’m trying to send out.”
Morocco had become the fourth African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, following in the footsteps of Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
The game is scheduled to take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Walid Regragui, the manager of Morocco, will face Portugal on Saturday in an attempt to make history by being the first African coach to lead a side into the World Cup semifinals.
The North African country has defied all odds to reach the quarter-finals after stunning tournament favourites Spain 3-0 in a shootout after a goalless draw.
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.
“If you can do it, you can, if not, not,” the 47-year-old said of breaking new ground for an African or Arab coach.
“It has nothing to do with being Arab or not. I fought for it. Maybe when I’m old, I’ll be proud of it, but for the moment, I am mainly proud for my country.
“And with a local coach, it’s the best thing for me and for my country.”
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.”
After a scoreless draw, the Atlas Lions shocked Spain with a 3-0 victory on penalties to advance to the round of eight and face Portugal.
Morocco first grabbed attention at the global showpiece with a goalless draw against Croatia, the runners-up four years ago before beating Belgium 2-0 in their second group game. They concluded their group stage game with a convincing win over Canada.
“I told (my players) we should be proud of ourselves,” Regragui said.
“It is an opportunity that may not be repeated. Unfortunately, I did not play in the World Cup. God has now given me an opportunity to make history as a coach. I am the happiest person in the world.”
“I think Africans can go far, why not dream of winning the cup? We want the next generation to dare to dream.”
Only five countries are representing Africa at the ongoing 2022 World Cup tournament happening in Qatar.
Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, and Cameroon are those representing the continent.
This time around, all of these teams are being led by their own respective national coach, which is unprecedented.
Otto Addo is leading the Black Stars of Ghana, Rigobert Song is handling Cameroon, Aliou Cisse leads Senegal, while Morocco is being led by Walid Regragui and Jalel Kadri is leading the charge for Tunisia.
The coaches and how they are currently performing:
Otto Addo
Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo (R) reacts during the international friendly football match between Brazil and Ghana at The Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, northern France on September 23, 2022. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)
The 47-year-old faced defeat in his opener against Portugal on Thursday, November 24. The scoreline read 3:2 at the end of the game. Ghana bounced back during the second half of the game.
Otto Addo, a former midfielder says Ghana is under pressure to qualify. Ghana will face South Korea next week Monday and, subsequently, Uruguay on December 2.
Aliou Cisse
In this file photo, Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse holds a Senegalese flag as he celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 final football match between Senegal and Egypt at Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde on February 6, 2022. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
The 46-year-old who was part of the Senegal team that reached the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals in South Korea suffered a two nil defeat against Netherlands in their opening game. The Senegalese players have however proven to be formidable despite their defeat and the absence of their star player, Sadio Mane.
Today, Senegal will play against Qatar. They will later face Ecuador on November 29.
Rigobert Song
Cameroon’s coach Rigobert Song Bahanag wears a One All Sports jacket during a training session at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium, in Yaounde on November 6, 2022, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022. (Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo / AFP)
Also 46-years old, Song could not secure victory for Cameroon when his side came up against Switzerland on Thursday. Their defeat was a goal to nil.
Song who masterminded a shock World Cup play-off victory over Algeria will next week Monday face Serbia. Brazil will be their next contender, whom they face on December 2.
Walid Regragui
Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui attends a training session in Doha on November 16, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
Morocco being led by Walid, 47, met a stalemate when they faced Croatia on November 23. None of the teams managed to score. Beginning his coaching career in 2012, Walid will once again bring his experience to test when Morocco faces Belgium this Sunday.
On December 1, they come up against Canada.
Jalel Kadri
Last but not least, and oldest among the coaches, Jadel, 50, also could not secure a win for Tunisia, but neither did he lose. He drew against Denmark on November 22.
Taking over from Mondher Kebaier, will have to play a fast one on Australia on Friday to secure a place in the tournament. Tunisia face France on November 30.
From the performances so far, these five African countries would have to up their game as they are not in a comfortable lead.
Tunisia’s head coach Jalel Kadri takes part in a training session at Al Egla training facility in Doha on November 17, 2022 ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)
Walid Regragui, the Moroccan coach, presented his 26-player World Cup roster on Thursday.
The Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who has rejoined the national team after being benched by the previous coach Vahid Halilhodzic, will be relied upon by the Atlas Lions for his offensive skills.
Another returnee is Abderrazak Hamdallah (Ittihad FC), who publicly apologized for having slammed the door at the CAN 2019
The big surprise in the selection is a teenager from Belgium by the name of Bilal El Khannouss, who is only 18 years old.
“We have an amazing team, to be honest, with a lot of quality, a lot of players who play in big leagues in Europe, also for big teams. I think we can do something special, something nobody is thinking, I think we can achieve that,” said Noussair Mazraoui, Morocco and Bayern Munich defender.
Morocco will play in group F and will on November 23 play their first match against Croatia. The Atlas Lions will then face Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium before meeting Alphonso Davies of Canada.
