Younes Belhanda says he still resents Walid Regragui’s decision to leave him out of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup squad, admitting he barely watched the team’s historic run in Qatar.
The former Morocco midfielder, now 36 and playing for Al-Sailiya in Qatar, said the omission was too painful for him to overcome. Speaking to Daniel Riolo, Belhanda revealed that he had wanted to end his international career at the tournament.
“I hardly watched the national team play. I didn’t watch the World Cup. It was painful... I wanted to play in that World Cup and finish there,” he said.
Belhanda was a prominent member of Morocco’s team during the 2010s but gradually lost his place after Herve Renard left, with injuries and the emergence of a younger generation affecting his position.
He was recalled in September 2022 for two World Cup warm-up friendlies after a three-year absence, a move which revived his hopes of making the final squad. However, Regragui ultimately decided against selecting him.
“Even now, I still hold it against him. Because I didn’t understand it,” Belhanda said.
The former Montpellier midfielder, who won the French title with the club, also admitted he was unable to share in Morocco’s success during the tournament.
“When my family watched the matches, I didn’t care. I didn’t even watch them,” he added.
Belhanda had enjoyed an impressive season in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, finishing the campaign with 12 goals and seven assists. But at the age of 32, he faced competition from younger midfielders, including Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss.
Regragui’s decision was ultimately vindicated as Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Belhanda’s comments have prompted strong criticism from Morocco supporters on social media, with many accusing him of failing to celebrate his country’s achievement. Some said his remarks showed a damaging attitude and retrospectively reinforced Regragui’s choice.
The former Morocco international also discussed another controversial moment involving the national team: Brahim Diaz’s missed Panenka against Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
“I think they arranged it over the penalty. I think Brahim Diaz told him he was going to do that,” Belhanda claimed, suggesting there may have been an agreement between the Real Madrid player and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
“The reaction of the Senegalese players to the penalty - they weren’t surprised. You know the emotions of a final,” he said, before stressing: “There is no evidence, it’s just a feeling.”
The theory had already circulated among some observers during the final, although no concrete evidence has emerged to support it.
Belhanda also maintained his belief in his own ability, saying he could still see himself starting for several Ligue 1 clubs, including Lille, Marseille and Lyon.