Africa to win World Cup in ’15-20 years’: Regragui

DOHA:

Morocco coach Walid Regragui mentioned he believes an African staff will win the World Cup within the subsequent “15 to 20 years” after his staff completed fourth in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions, who grew to become the primary African World Cup semi-finalists in historical past, misplaced Saturday’s third place play-off 2-1 towards 2018 runners-up Croatia however captured the creativeness in Qatar.

The subsequent World Cup in 2026, held throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico, might be expanded to 48 groups and Africa may have at the least 9 slots – up from 5 at current.

“With nine participants, we’re going to learn. In 15, 20 years, I’m sure an African team will win the World Cup because we’ll have learned,” mentioned Regragui.

“We have a stage to get past. We need to build on that, with hard work and desire. This DNA is not just being built for Morocco, but for the continent.”

Morocco completed high of a bunch together with Croatia and Belgium, who got here third on the 2018 World Cup, earlier than knocking out Spain and Portugal to reach the final 4.

Their run was ended within the semi-finals by defending champions France, however Regragui has urged his gamers to again up their historic show by successful subsequent 12 months’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“I said to the players in the changing room, if you want to go down in history then you’re going to have to win the Africa Cup of Nations,” mentioned Regragui.

“We need to dominate our continent.”

Morocco have been topped African champions simply as soon as, in 1976, however their performances on the World Cup demonstrated they’re a staff on the rise underneath Regragui, who was solely appointed in August.

“Tomorrow morning we’ll take stock and all realise we’ve pulled off a fantastic achievement here. We’ve earned a great deal of experience in a short space of time,” mentioned Regragui.

“We’ve gone additional than anticipated however it’s not sufficient. It must set an instance for the long run. I hope that everyone (in Africa) will be taught from the expertise.

“We’ve acquired an ideal future forward of us and we’ll preserve transferring ahead.

“Of course we have now the target of successful the World Cup someday. There’s going to be extra strain on us going ahead and hopefully there might be extra African groups following our instance.

“We’ve shown we can go toe to toe with top teams. Really very small details determine these games.”