The Atlas Lions became the first African team to qualify for the global tournament that will be the first to be hosted by three nations, with the main host country of matches set to be the United States, while Canada and Mexico will be the auxiliary hosts.
Morocco secured the qualification in emphatic style on matchday seven after they sealed a ruthless 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat on Friday.
The result for the Moroccans clinched top spot in Group E with two matches to spare in the group following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the group, confirming a third successive World Cup for the Atlas Lions and their seventh appearance overall.
The Atlas Lions wrapped up qualification ahead of schedule, reflecting a near-perfect campaign that includes wins over Tanzania (2-0 twice), Zambia (2-1), Congo (6-0) and Niger (2-1, 5-0).
‘We have come to win because we are Morocco’
While admitting he will rest 80% of the players that participated in the 5-0 demolition of Niger, the 49-year-old maintained the players that will be called upon to face the Chipolopolo at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Monday will deliver the required result.
“We have come here already qualified, we know what we have to do, we are Morocco, and we have come here to win because we are Morocco,” said Regragui. “I know Zambia wants to win to confirm their stature in Africa. I know that it will be a good game tomorrow (Monday).”
Regragui further hinted that among the players who will be rested include Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi.
“We have had a difficult time; we played a game on Friday and had a long flight. I will rest 80% of the players; others like Achraf (Hakimi) have games in Europe and need to recover. However, the players who will come will be competitive.”
With Africa allocated nine automatic places for the expanded finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Morocco are the first to grab one of those spots. The remaining group winners will join them, while the best runners-up will have a play-off path to a potential tenth berth via the inter-confederation play-off.
Grant predicts tough game against Morocco
Meanwhile, Zambia coach Avram Grant admitted they will face a tough battle against Morocco, but remained confident his side will be equal to the task.
“The last qualification we won without the players we consider key players and now they have come back. So it is a good competition of who will play and who will not, who will also be on the bench and who will not,” explained the former Chelsea coach.
“So this is good for Zambia. I do believe it is bad luck with the results that have been coming because we did a lot of work, the basics and the team is looking good and strong.”
He added: “Morocco is a very good team. We congratulate Morocco for qualifying to the world cup. Moreover, in Qatar they came out in the semi-final, they played fantastic, they have a very good team, we saw in the reverse game against us.
Grant concluded: “We know that Morocco is a very good team but we are also a good team and we want to show it tomorrow. It is a very tough game. We have three games in a row to seal second place. It is a team that never gives up.”
The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup. The four best runners-up will then compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
