Morocco Seeks High-Level Opponents for Friendly Matches

In a move reflecting the Moroccan national team’s great ambitions, head coach Walid Regragui has requested the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to step up efforts in arranging two friendly matches against top African teams during the upcoming November international break.

This initiative aims to ensure the best possible preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Morocco.

According to informed sources, Regragui has expressed interest in facing Nigeria and Ivory Coast, two of Africa’s strongest national teams, known for their highly skilled professional players. The Moroccan coach believes these matches will serve as a real test for his squad, especially since Nigeria and Ivory Coast were the finalists of the last AFCON, making them ideal opponents for fine-tuning Morocco’s preparation.

As part of an intensive training program, Regragui did not limit his request to November but also urged the FRMF to arrange two additional friendly matches in October.

This request follows the exclusion of Eritrea and Congo from the World Cup qualifiers, giving the Moroccan team an opportunity to use the international break for preparatory matches instead of qualification games.

In response, the FRMF has already initiated discussions with several African federations, including Nigeria and Ivory Coast, to secure the requested friendlies.

This effort aligns with Morocco’s broader preparation plan, which also includes friendly matches against Benin and Tunisia in June, along with World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Zambia in September.

The exclusion of Eritrea and Congo has thus allowed Morocco to schedule additional matches, providing Regragui with a valuable opportunity to assess his squad and finalize his team selection ahead of AFCON 2025.