Morocco’s National Team Head Coach Walid Regragui addressed his involvement in the Paris 2024 Olympics with the U23 National team, the Atlas Cubs, and responded to criticism during a press conference on Thursday, at the Mohammed VI Complex in Salé.
Regragui revealed that following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, also designated him to supervise the national Olympic team.
He disclosed his involvement in appointing Tarik Sektioui as the U23 national team coach in February 2024, after the dismissal of Issam Charaï.
Regragui elaborated on his criticized involvement with the U23 team, including his efforts to persuade clubs to release players for the Olympics. In his defense, he also stated he was closely involved with the Atlas Cubs squad throughout the AFCON U23 tournament, played domestically, yet “his presence was not singled out for criticism.”
The coach concluded by highlighting the significance of Morocco’s success at the Paris Olympics, emphasizing that securing a medal represents a historical achievement that should not be underestimated.