Younes Belhanda says he still blames Walid Regragui for Morocco World Cup omission

Younes Belhanda says he still holds Walid Regragui responsible for leaving him out of Morocco’s squad for the 2022 World Cup, admitting he barely watched the team’s historic run in Qatar.

The former Montpellier midfielder, now 36 and playing for Al-Sailiya in Qatar, said the disappointment was so severe that he was unable to enjoy Morocco’s progress to the semi-finals.

“I hardly watched the national team play. I didn’t watch the World Cup. It was painful… I wanted to play in that World Cup and then stop,” Belhanda told Daniel Riolo.

Belhanda, who was an important member of Morocco’s team during the 2010s, had gradually lost his place following Herve Renard’s departure. Injuries and the emergence of a younger generation had also affected his prospects.

He was recalled in September 2022, after a three-year absence, for two friendly matches before the tournament. That return appeared to revive his hopes of making the final squad.

At the time, Belhanda was playing for Adana Demirspor and had enjoyed an impressive season in Turkey, finishing with 12 goals and seven assists. However, at 32, he was competing with younger players for a place in midfield.

Regragui ultimately selected Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss among others, with the pair representing the renewal of Morocco’s midfield. The decision proved successful as the Lions de l’Atlas became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

But Belhanda says he still does not understand why he was excluded.

“I still hold it against him to this day. Because I didn’t understand it,” he said.

He also revealed that he felt detached from Morocco’s achievements while watching with his family.

“When my family watched the matches, I didn’t care. I didn’t even watch them,” he added.

His comments have attracted strong criticism from Moroccan supporters on social media. Many have accused him of being unable to celebrate his country’s historic campaign and said his remarks reinforced the view that Regragui was right to leave him out. Belhanda’s reputation for having a difficult character during his career has also been highlighted.

The former Morocco international also discussed the missed Panenka by Brahim Diaz against Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.

“I think they arranged it over the penalty. I think Brahim Diaz told him he was going to do that,” Belhanda said, suggesting there may have been an understanding between the Real Madrid player and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

“The Senegalese reaction to the penalty… they weren’t surprised. You know the emotions of a final,” he added, before stressing: “There is no proof, it’s a feeling.”

The theory had already circulated among some observers during the dramatic final, although no concrete evidence has emerged to support it.

Belhanda also remains confident in his own ability, saying he believes he could still start for several Ligue 1 clubs, including Lille, Marseille and Lyon.