World Cup 2022: Mehdi Benatia's prediction for Morocco

Morocco were handed a tough draw at the 2022 World Cup, pitted against Croatia, the runners-up, Kevin De Bruyne's Belgium and Canada. It is a demanding Group F, in which the Atlas Lions intend to defy the predictions and reach the second round.

The task will certainly be difficult but is far from impossible for a Morocco side that does not lack talent. With front-line players such as Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham) and Soufiane Boufal (Angers), to name just those, the team coached by Walid Regragui can legitimately harbour ambitions in this group.

The quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations can go at least as far as the round of 16. That, at any rate, is the belief of the former Atlas Lions captain, Medhi Benatia. Appearing on the programme "Pronostics" on the Qatari channel Al Kass Sports Channel, the former Juventus defender predicted that Morocco would qualify from their group behind Belgium. "I'm counting on them, I know this team well. I played with quite a few of them. They have a very fine generation with great players and a great coach who has just arrived. We must not forget the work done by his predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic," he said.

Although he is confident in his side, Mehdi Benatia knows all the same that Morocco cannot realistically aim for the title. Many other national teams are better equipped than the Sherifian Kingdom to lift the trophy on the evening of 18 December. Brazil, for instance, with their many stars (Neymar, Vinicius, Casemiro, Thiago Silva...). For the former Bayern Munich player, the Seleção are in fact the favourites for the tournament, alongside France.

Some pictures from today's match against the Chile national team 🇨🇱

📸 Pictures from tonight's win against Chile #DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/3VqPO7vUmk

— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) September 23, 2022