Morocco national team head coach Walid Regragui is set to introduce new players to the Atlas Lions squad during the team’s upcoming training camp in June, as he prepares to contend with several expected absences linked to the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Moroccan team will play two international friendlies next month, against Tunisia and Benin, on June 7 and 10 respectively.
With several first-team regulars expected to be unavailable due to club commitments, Regragui has opted for a pragmatic approach by drawing up a contingency plan to test alternative options.
This includes expanding his selection to new players who could potentially bolster the squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host.
According to details reported by Koora, the coach is not expected to call up key players such as Brahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Soufiane Rahimi, and Adam Aznou despite their availability.
“Although there is a possibility that Regragui could benefit from the services of some players … he has decided not to burden them with national team duty,” the report stated.
The same approach reportedly applies to domestic-based players from Wydad Casablanca, further underlining Regragui’s intent to broaden the player pool and maintain healthy relations with clubs both in Morocco and Europe.
A source close to the national team setup noted that Regragui’s decision reflects a strategy to ensure long-term squad depth while also avoiding conflicts with club managers.
“Regragui made this decision to preserve his strong relationships with European clubs, similar to what happened with Paris Saint-Germain when he allowed Achraf Hakimi to take part in the Paris Olympics,” the source added.
The June friendlies are therefore expected to offer a rare opportunity for emerging talents to impress the national team coach and earn a place in future squads.
