Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has hit back at continued criticism of the national team’s tactical approach, just months before the country hosts the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025.
With the tournament set to run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, scrutiny has intensified around the Atlas Lions’ preparations and playing identity.
Despite Morocco’s position as Africa’s highest-ranked nation and 12th in the world, some analysts and fans continue to brand Regragui’s system as overly cautious, a narrative the coach finds increasingly frustrating.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Regragui was forthright in addressing the growing chorus of dissent surrounding his methods.
“I’m open to criticism, it’s part of the job and something I expect at every game,” he said. “What truly bothers me is when people focus on trivial aspects, like the style of play, rather than offering constructive insight.”
Regragui’s side made headlines in 2022 by reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation ever to do so.
While that achievement garnered global admiration, it also left his team with what he sees as an unfair tactical stigma.
“We’ve been labelled as a defensive team since the World Cup and I think it’s undeserved,” Regragui remarked. “There’s a clear distinction between how we played before and how we play now. We’re not sitting back, we’re proactive, we maintain possession, and we go forward.”
Morocco’s performance in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers appears to support his claims. The Atlas Lions recorded a flawless run with six wins from six matches while amassing an impressive 26 goals, more than any other team in the qualifying phase. These numbers, Regragui argues, are evidence of a side evolving toward a more assertive style of football.
“Just look at our stats. We scored the most goals in the qualifiers. That’s not the mark of a defensive side,” he said.
Yet, doubts continue to linger. At the last Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, Morocco exited the tournament earlier than expected, falling in the round of 16, a disappointment that has only added fuel to the debate over the team’s tactical direction under Regragui.
With Morocco set to host the 2025 edition, expectations are soaring, and so too is the pressure on the coaching staff.
Fans and pundits alike are looking for not just results, but a style of play they believe is fitting for a team of Morocco’s stature on the continent. For Regragui, however, the results should speak louder than perception.
“I understand that people want to see beautiful football, but at the end of the day, our job is to win,” he insisted. “Criticize me, yes, but do it with logic and fairness.”
With the tournament on home soil fast approaching, the debate surrounding Morocco’s tactical identity is unlikely to subside.
What remains clear is that Regragui is standing firm in his convictions, determined to lead a team that not only wins but, in his view, does so with purpose and attacking intent.
🎙️ Walid Regragui : “Le système reste le même, on joue en 4-3-3. À la Coupe du Monde, certains disaient que je faisais du 4-1-4-1, trop défensif. Mais quand t’as des joueurs de qualité, tout peut changer.”
Here We Go… Again 🇲🇦😂 pic.twitter.com/9oGlLNZB5i
— FRMF Xtra (@FRMFXtra) November 18, 2024
