Morocco Coach Walid Regragui Reveals Support for France Ahead of Final

• Morocco coach Walid Regragui has declared his support for France
• The world champions defeated the Atlas Lions in the semi-finals
• France will face Argentina in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

History-making Morocco coach, Walid Regragui has declared his support for France ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.

Regragui became the first coach to lead an African country to the semi-final of the World Cup, after Morocco beat Portugal in the last eight.

However, the fairy tale ended for the Atlas Lions when they met Les Bleus in the semi-final on Wednesday at the Al Bayt Stadium.

The French-born Moroccan heaped praise on the European reigning champions after their game yesterday (December 14), professing his support for the country of his birth.

Ecuador World Cup Squad 2022: Is Enner Valencia playing in this World Cup?

Football

“We are going to support them [France] now. The whole world is proud of this Moroccan team," the Morocco coach said, as quoted by Goal.

Regragui said the North Africans had shown desire and played hard to shine a positive light on the country and African football. He believes the Atlas Lions have earned much respect for their World Cup journey.

"Congratulations to France. I said before the match - they are a very good side and they were well-placed to win the game, but in spite of all the injuries we had, the tiredness, we pulled out all the stops, gave them everything, caused them problems and that is already quite an achievement."

He ended with a poignant statement that a World Cup is not won through miracles but hard work, promising that effort is what Morocco will continue to employ.

France defeated Argentina four years ago en-route to winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Qatar 2022: Pitso Mosimane praises Morocco coach, says South Africa football is 20 years behind North Africans

Football

Regragui gets mural in hometown

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that popular Moroccan artist Ismail Hjila celebrated Atlas Lions coach Regragui, by carving his image into a wall.

The former Morocco defender became the first coach to guide an African team to the semi-final in the history of the World Cup.

Regragui's team eliminated favourites Belgium at the group stage, before beating Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.