‘Why not an African World Cup champion?’ Regragui aims to blaze trail with Morocco
Morocco are in pole position to make it into the World Cup 2022 last-16 as they take on Canada in a decisive game in Group F this afternoon.
The Atlas Lions claimed a first World Cup victory since 1998 when they defeated Belgium last time out and another win today would secure them a spot in the knockout rounds.
Walid Regragui’s team haven’t made it out of the group stages since 1986 and it will be a huge success if they can get over the line today.
Canada are already out, exiting after two defeats in two despite plenty of exciting moments, but they won’t make things easy for Morocco.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco
Morocco boss vows to play for the win in bid to reach first World Cup knockouts in 36 years
Morocco coach Walid Regragui will not make the mistake of playing for a draw against Canada as they look to make it out of the World Cup group stage for the first time in more than 35 years.
Following a stunning 2-0 victory over Belgium, the Atlas Lions stand on the verge of reaching the knockout rounds for only the second time in the country’s history, last doing so in 1986.
Canada, meanwhile, have only pride left to play for following a 4-1 defeat to Croatia after being edged out by Belgium in the opening Group F match after Alphonso Davies’ first-half penalty was saved.
Regragui, though, maintains Morocco must stay fully focused against a team intent on finishing the tournament on a positive note as Canada look ahead to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.
“We know that we are coming up against a team which has got nothing to lose as they are already eliminated and will be out to hold their heads up high,” said Regragui, who replaced Vahid Halilhodzic as Morocco head coach just three months ago.
“But we also have a lot to get out of the game. We are motivated and are preparing for a difficult game.”
Regragui added: “It would be an error to go into the match thinking you only need to give 20 or 30 per cent because the draw is fine for us. We are coming up against a team who want to take their first points from a World Cup, so they will be giving it everything right up until the final whistle.
World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco – TEAM NEWS
Canada: Borjan, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies, Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett
Subs: St. Clair, Piette, Fraser, Cavallini, Ugbo, Hutchinson, Kone, Pantemis, David, Laryea, Millar, Wotherspoon, Cornelius, Waterman.
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Subs: Hamdallah, Zaroury, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Amallah, Ezzalzouli, El Yamiq, Dari, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, El Khannous, Benoun, Attiyat Allah, Jabrane.
World Cup 2022: Canada vs Morocco
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Canada vs Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha!
The equation for Morocco is pretty simple: win and they are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1986!
Canada, despite wowing with their aggressive style of play, are already out having lost their first two games against Belgium and Croatia and are simply playing for pride in their final group game of Qatar 2022.
Kick-off is at 3pm (GMT) – team-news on the way!
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