Morocco to ‘Come Out Swinging’ against Spain at World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco Training - Al Duhail SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 5, 2022 Morocco coach Walid Regragui during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco Training - Al Duhail SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 5, 2022 Morocco coach Walid Regragui during training. (Reuters)
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Morocco to ‘Come Out Swinging’ against Spain at World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco Training - Al Duhail SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 5, 2022 Morocco coach Walid Regragui during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Morocco Training - Al Duhail SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 5, 2022 Morocco coach Walid Regragui during training. (Reuters)

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has urged his team to believe they can defeat powerhouse Spain as they attempt to reach a first World Cup quarter-final. 

The north African side are in the last 16 for only the second time after advancing as winners of Group F ahead of 2018 runners-up Croatia, having defeated Belgium and Canada in Qatar.  

"It will be a very testing game for us. We're coming up against one of the best footballing nations in the world. I think they're one of the favorites to reach the final," Regragui said on Monday. 

"That said, we've also got things up our sleeve. We've had one extra rest day compared to them and we're going to try and pull a surprise out of the bag.  

"If we're able to send Spain packing, I think this will be a wonderful surprise not only for us but for our country."  

Spain denied Morocco a famous win at the 2018 World Cup with a last-gasp equalizer in a 2-2 draw, the only point the Moroccans picked up in Russia.  

"We're not seeking revenge at all. We're not looking at what happened in the past," said Regragui, who was appointed in August.  

"We've got a new generation and, for me, the mentality has to change with the Moroccan team. All the negative aspects, that's the old Morocco, we've changed. Our country's changed."  

Morocco, the lone Arab nation and the last African team remaining in Qatar, will have the vocal backing of thousands of fans for Tuesday's game at Education City Stadium.  

"We'll come out swinging. We want to hoist the Moroccan flag way up high. We're playing first and foremost for us and our country," said Regragui.  

"All Arabs and Africans, we want to make them happy. We want their prayers and we want their support so it can give us that extra ingredient to win. Before it was just the Moroccans that supported us."  

Morocco would become just the fourth African team to reach the quarter-finals -- after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 -- if they beat the 2010 champions.  

Morocco's only other appearance in the last 16 came in 1986, when they lost 1-0 to eventual runners-up West Germany.  

"I don't think we should go out with any sort of complex," said Regragui.  

"Yes, we're the underdog, but we know what Spain are made of and the recipe is easy. We shouldn't be worried, we should have no regrets and give the best of ourselves." 



Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.