Walid Regragui discusses childhood labor and AFCON final delays

Former Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui has shared personal reflections regarding his childhood and recent professional observations. During an appearance on the Al Jazeera ‘Atheer’ program, Regragui revealed that he worked alongside his mother at Orly Airport in France during his youth to save money for a car. He described the difficult night shifts, which lasted from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and noted that he only worked for one month after witnessing the physical toll the labor took on his mother.

Regragui also commented on the dynamics of the Africa Cup of Nations final, specifically addressing a 15-minute delay surrounding a penalty kick awarded to Morocco. He questioned whether the long stoppage affected the concentration of player Brahim Diaz, suggesting that such delays tend to benefit the defending side rather than the kicker. He drew a comparison to Kylian Mbappe’s experience during the World Cup, noting how interruptions can disrupt a player's mental focus during high-stakes moments.