SALE, Morocco: World Cup semifinalist Morocco will start their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament with a newly-recruited France Under-21 player named in the squad for the first time Thursday.
Sofiane Diop, a midfielder with French league leader Nice, was picked by coach Walid Regragui for the scheduled games at home to Eritrea next Thursday and in Tanzania on Nov. 21.
The 23-year-old Diop was born in France and has family ties to Morocco and Senegal. FIFA rules let players change their national eligibility before they have played a senior competitive game.
“He’s a player who could have chosen other countries also,” Regragui said at a news conference. “He’s deserved to be with us.”
Eritrea are reportedly withdrawing their team from the qualifying campaign, but Regragui said FIFA has not yet confirmed cancelation of the game with Morocco in Agadir.
At the 2022 World Cup, Regragui called on several players from the Moroccan diaspora in Europe to build a squad that stunningly became the first African country to reach the semifinals.
Morocco topped a group ahead of Croatia, the 2018 World Cup beaten finalist that also reached the semifinals last year, and eliminated No. 2-ranked Belgium.
Regragui then helped Morocco eliminate Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds before his injury-hit team lost 2-0 to France. Morocco have now united with Spain and Portugal and will co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco start as strong favorite in Group E in African qualifying for the 2026 tournament being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Africa has nine guaranteed places in the expanded 48-team lineup.
Morocco also will play Niger, Republic of Congo and Zambia and only the group winner in October 2025 will qualify.
World Cup semifinalist Morocco recruit France U21 player Diop to start qualifying for 2026 edition
https://arab.news/pjszd
World Cup semifinalist Morocco recruit France U21 player Diop to start qualifying for 2026 edition
- The 23-year-old Diop was born in France and has family ties to Morocco and Senegal
- “He’s a player who could have chosen other countries also,” Regragui said
Arsenal hoist first Women’s Champions Cup in thrilling win over Corinthians
- Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post in the 104th minute to earn a dramatic winner over the Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino
- As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize
LONDON: Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord struck in extra time to power them to victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil’s Corinthians 3-2 in a rain-soaked final at the Emirates Stadium.
Reigning Champions League winners Arsenal looked set to seal the title in normal time, leading 2-1 before Vic Albuquerque converted a 96th-minute penalty to force extra time.
Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy also scored for Renee Slegers’ team before Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post in the 104th minute to earn a dramatic winner over the Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“It’s not often that at Arsenal you can write history because history has been written so many times,” Wubben-Moy told Sky Sports.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants. To come to this inaugural competition and win it and do it with all of our fans here in style — — our fans are wonderful and that’s who we do it for.
“To win the first silverware this year is a big leap forward. We want more. Stick with us, 2026 has more to come.”
As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize.
The one negative on the night was Arsenal’s goalkeeper Anneke Borbe being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Wubben-Moy late in extra time.
The timing of the tournament favored Arsenal, who are in the midst of their Women’s Super League season, while Corinthians are in their pre-season and CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Gotham FC are in their off-season.
Arsenal had thrashed Moroccan champions AS FAR 6-0 in Wednesday’s semifinals, while Corinthians had edged Gotham, of the National Women’s Soccer League, 1-0 in the other semis.
Gotham secured third place with a 4-0 win against AS FAR earlier on Sunday.
