News about Vahid Halilhodzic

HERBERT IN DOHA: They flooded through Casablanca's streets in every imaginable way: They crammed into open car boots, children in pushchairs, or on shoulders - thousands of them, commemorating Morocco's historic journey to the World Cup semi-finals. It was no different in Souq Waqif, a meeting point for all the nations at the start of the tournament, but major contingents from Morocco and Argentina led it now. The message on the T-shirts that are flying off the stalls says, 'Our blood is Arab.' The madness of the world's 22nd-ranked team travelling deeper into the competition than any African or Arab country has done before is explained by a formula.

After a losing battle with former Chelsea coach Valiant Halilhodzic, the Chelsea wide-player was brought out from the cold by newly appointed coach Walid Regragui in September. Ziyech did not score in either of September's friendlies against Chile and Paraguay with a goal, but in Sharjah in an extraordinary manner.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just days away, with the first-ever winter edition of the tournament drawing ever closer. Qatar will launch proceedings against Ecuador on November 20 in the United Kingdom, while England's campaign against Iran will continue the following day. Following their triumph in Russia four years ago, holders France, as well as Brazil, are once more among the favorites.

Hakim Ziyech has been selected to represent Morocco at the 2022 World Cup after an eventful year that saw him fade from football and rejoin the fold in September. Wesair Mazraoui will also return to the squad after being suspended by Vahid Halilhodzic in August.

With seven wins from eight, 25 goals scored, and an undefeated record to brawl, only seven countries outside of the world rankings' top 20 steamrolled the World Cup qualification stage as well as Morocco. Morocco defeated Tunisia in their second World Cup qualifier since 1998 after enduring a miserable tournament in Russia four years ago. Following a single point and just two goals scored in the 2018 competition, the African nation promised to become more aggressive in attack as they sought to qualify for the next World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is less than six months away, with the first-ever winter edition of the tournament drawing ever closer. The group stage draw has arrived and gone, with all eight teams, each consisting of four teams, deciding well ahead of the November 21 launch date. However, only 29 of the 32 participating teams have been decided as it stands. Three of the three places are still up for grabs, two of which will be determined after the intercontinental play-offs, with Australia playing UAE and Costa Rica facing New Zealand.

Just three months before the World Cup in Qatar began, Morocco fired Vahid Halilhodzic as the head of the national team. Halilhodzic aided Morocco in qualifying their place in the showpiece tournament by leading them to an undefeated run in the qualification stages. However, the Moroccan federation has dissented with the Bosnian chief due to 'differences' in opinion over how the national team should prepare for the tournament.