Regragui Explains Squad Announcement Without Press Conference: "It's My Decision, We Hope to Have Formed the Best Team to Win AFCON"

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed that the decision not to hold a press conference to announce the "Atlas Lions" squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, announced on Thursday, was aimed at quickly focusing on the continental tournament. Regragui stated in a declaration to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation's official website: "Yes, this is my decision. I want to quickly focus on this competition. What matters to me is announcing the squad and quickly concentrating on the training camp, which will start soon. That's why I decided to do things a little differently to change the situation, because throughout the competition, there will be press conferences approximately two or three days before each match, and also after the games."

The national coach added: "Therefore, speaking extensively wasn't necessarily important to me regarding the squad. The list is here; it's our choice, mine and the technical staff's. We hope we haven't left anyone out and that, God willing, we have formed the best possible team to win the trophy."

Regragui continued: "When we put together a squad, it is necessarily the ideal list for the coach. For others, it doesn't exist, because everyone has their personal choices and preferences, and we always take our criteria objectively."

He further explained: "There's an established group that has been built since the last Africa Cup in Côte d'Ivoire, and of course, the sporting aspect is the most important. This is a competition that will also last for a month, and we hope for that. So, there are some things where we've gained time with certain players who know our system well, understand the group dynamic, and are aware of the challenges related to this tournament."

He added: "I believe we have built this team well over nearly two years, and the results speak for themselves. Since the last Africa Cup of Nations, we have achieved 19 victories and one draw."

Regragui concluded: "We didn't want to change everything. Of course, there's the current performance of each player, but at the same time, there are choices that must be made, and these are the choices my technical staff and I have made. We thought carefully for a year and a half to build this team, and we hope it will be the best for the possibility of winning the trophy."