Walid Regragui demands victory against Bahrain and Congo to keep Morocco’s momentum alive

Morocco coach Walid Regragui urged his team to secure back-to-back wins in their upcoming matches against Bahrain and Congo to maintain their strong momentum and continue improving on the international stage.

Speaking during a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora on Thursday, Regragui stressed the importance of consistent results as Morocco seek to preserve their status as the top-ranked Arab and African team in FIFA’s rankings.

“We must win the next two matches to maintain a positive dynamic and progress,” he said. “What matters is victory.

It allows us to improve our ranking, and remaining the best Arab and African team proves our consistency. That’s the most important thing for us.”

The Atlas Lions will first face Bahrain in a friendly on October 9 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat before concluding their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Congo on October 14 at the same venue.

Explaining the decision to face Bahrain, Regragui highlighted the importance of testing his squad against a variety of opponents.

“It’s necessary to play in all kinds of situations. Bahrain provides strong opposition, having delivered good performances against Japan and Saudi Arabia. It’s a valuable opportunity to stay competitive,” he noted.

The coach also addressed the absence of key players including Soufiane Rahimi, Achraf Dari, Azzedine Ounahi and Noussair Mazraoui, all sidelined through injury.

Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence in the depth of his squad. “It’s difficult to field a typical team, but our bench is strong, and the players available are capable of delivering good performances,” he added.

Morocco approach these matches aiming to finish their qualifying campaign on a high note and further consolidate their growing reputation on the global stage. Regragui’s men remain determined to sustain their winning mentality as they continue building towards the 2026 World Cup