A high-profile night at El Chiringuito de Jugones. The set of the most watched sports programme on Spanish television welcomed Walid Regragui, Morocco’s national coach, for an interview in which no topic was left out.
Facing Josep Pedrerol, the programme’s director, Regragui was clear and direct. He analysed the current situation of Moroccan football, reflected on his continuity in the post, on his contacts with Lamine Yamal and did not shy away from issues of great interest such as the call-up of Brahim Díaz.
In addition, the coach commented on the current situation at Real Madrid, his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he has a great relationship, and his vision of European football.
🙏 “Hay que RESPETAR a ANCELOTTI”.
🙌 Walid Regragui, seleccionador marroquí, se rinde al técnico italiano.
📺 #ChiringuitoMadrid 📺 pic.twitter.com/nU0YNOK2ue
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 15, 2025
With hardly any time to introduce himself, Josep Pedrerol, the programme’s director and presenter, asked the coach for his opinion on where he thought the final of the World Cup, co-organised by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, would be played; Regragui was clear: ‘I hope it will be held in Morocco’.
As part of the programme’s regular discussion, Regragui pointed out that ‘Lamine Yamal is a generational star that we tried to bring to the Morocco team, but it wasn’t to be.’ ‘What he does at his age is incredible,’ he added.
The national team manager then revealed exclusively that he had several telephone conversations with Yamal. ‘Lamine Yamal was honest with me. I told him about the projects for Morocco, such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.’
🇲🇦 REGRAGUI, seleccionador marroquí, explica POR QUÉ LAMINE eligió ESPAÑA:
🫂 “Fue muy respetuoso conmigo, me dijo que se sentía español”.
👉 “Intentamos todo para tenerle, será uno de los grandes”. pic.twitter.com/iszsudsIjI
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 15, 2025
‘Two days later, he contacted me to confirm that he felt Spanish, that he had been playing for Spain since he was a child, so I wished him the best, especially for his honesty and sincerity towards me at all times,’ concluded Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
‘I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations; the country deserves it. The passion for the sport is amazing. Not a day goes by when a Moroccan does not ask me for us to win,’ replied to the coach on the importance of being able to win a tournament as the host country.
As the programme progressed, the debate revolved around the question of what does it mean to play good football? To which the coach replied: ‘to play well is to be decisive in the last 30 metres and to have possession, but always with the opposition’s goal in mind.’ ‘In football, as in all other sports, what the fans want is to win,’ he added.
Then, about Brahim Díaz and his limited minutes at Real Madrid, the coach expressed his desire for the national team star to play more minutes. At the same time, he emphasised his hard work and effort whenever he could play.
Finally, the coach spoke about his situation, the demands of Moroccan fans and his future. ‘I have a contract until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but in this job if you don’t win, the decisions come quickly,’ he said.
😅 “Tengo contrato hasta el Mundial, pero si no ganamos la Copa África…”.
🇲🇦 Walid Regragui, seleccionador marroquí, habla sobre su futuro en @elchiringuitotv. pic.twitter.com/tJpLyfa9C7
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 15, 2025
In his usual tone and perfect Spanish, the coach hinted at the keys to the project he leads from the Moroccan bench, keeping ambition intact after his team’s historic role in the last World Cup. And the results back him up: Morocco has not lost a single official match since June 2023.
In fact, they have only lost once in their last 20 matches. This is no small detail. A solid present that ignites the enthusiasm of the entire country, which is starting to look sideways on 18 January 2026, dreaming of lifting a major title in Casablanca.
There is a project, there is work, and there is someone in charge who knows what this is all about.
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