Former Morocco national football team coach Walid Regragui has revealed the extensive efforts made by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to convince Spanish star Lamine Yamal to represent the Atlas Lions. This comes as the team builds towards the 2030 World Cup, which they will co-host, currently sitting second in their qualifying group with 7 points from 3 matches.
What were the details of the pursuit of Yamal?
Morocco's attempts to secure Lamine Yamal began when he was still a promising youngster at Barcelona's La Masia academy. According to a report by beIN SPORTS, the Moroccan federation was fully aware of Yamal's eligibility through his father's Moroccan origins. Their approach was not a last-minute phone call but involved direct meetings with the player and his family.
Regragui took personal charge of the mission, meeting with Yamal and his grandfather after the youngster began establishing himself in Barcelona's first team. The objective was to present a clear sporting project to the young player, focusing on a central role within a Moroccan team preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup. The vision was to make him one of the historic faces of a promising Moroccan generation.
How does Messi's retirement impact the international scene?
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football with Argentina following their loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The announcement came via Instagram on August 31, as reported by Complex, with the 39-year-old confirming he will not feature at the 2030 World Cup. Messi wrote that the decision was painful but the time had come to give younger players their chance.
This announcement comes just weeks after the Morocco national football team itself lost the tournament final to France 2-0 on July 9. That loss marked the start of a new phase for Morocco, who have scored 6 goals and conceded 3 in current qualifying, for a +3 goal difference. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page.
What is the status of WAFCON 2026?
Morocco is preparing to host the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from July 26 to August 16 next year. Deutsche Welle reported that the tournament will expand to 16 teams for the first time, making it the largest edition ever. Morocco will become the first country to host three consecutive editions of the competition.
This expansion reflects the rapid growth of women's football across Africa, with more nations investing in domestic leagues and youth development programs. The tournament also serves as a key pathway to the Women's World Cup, offering greater competitive opportunities for emerging football nations.
What are the new challenges in AFCON qualifying?
The Morocco national football team faces a new dynamic in 2027 AFCON qualifying after Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang announced his international retirement. Al Jazeera reported that Aubameyang decided to step away due to feeling humiliated by his federation's treatment after Gabon's group-stage exit from the 2025 AFCON, which Morocco hosted.
This retirement presents a fresh challenge for Gabon's new coach, Sebastien Migne, as he prepares to face Morocco in Group A of the qualifiers. Niger and Lesotho are also in the group. Fans can follow the group standings and upcoming match details on our standings and fixtures pages.
How is the team preparing for the next phase?
The Morocco national football team is embarking on a new chapter post-World Cup final, with full focus on qualifying for the 2030 edition they will co-host. The team's recent form in their last five official matches shows one win, two draws, and two losses. The squad is also currently without Scott McTominay due to injury.
Preparations continue as Morocco gears up to host the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in October and November 2026, with the tournament running from October 17 to November 7. These events form part of the broader sporting project that was presented to Lamine Yamal, centered on building a generation capable of making history on home soil.
