Rabat

- The former star of the Moroccan national team, Salah El-Din Basir, spoke, in the following interview with Al-Jazeera Net, about his expectations for the journey of the Arab teams in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, stressing that this version of the World Cup will be special thanks to the great capabilities that were harnessed to organize the tournament.

Basir - who scored 25 goals in 50 matches with the "Atlas Lions" - believes that the personality of the new coach of the Moroccan national team, Walid Rekraki, will make the difference in the competition, which begins on November 20.

The following is the text of the interview:

  • First of all, how do you see Qatar hosting the World Cup as the first Arab country to have the honor of organizing a global wedding?

No one disputes that Qatar has great potentials that qualify it to succeed in winning the bet of organizing the global wedding in comparison to the quality of the stadiums and the level of infrastructure, benefiting from the full involvement of the officials and actors in preparing for a successful Arab World Cup by all standards, as well as the fact that it succeeded in organizing continental football events And international, which is enshrined in the confidence of the officials of the International Federation in granting it the honor of organizing the finals of the next edition of the World Wedding.

  • Is public support a motivating factor for the Arab teams, given the expected attendance of Arab fans in the World Cup in Qatar?

Certainly, it is a given that will be in the interest of the Arab teams participating in the World Cup, granting the task of organizing the international football forum to Qatar. We wish it a good light for the Arab countries, whether at the level of participation or the organization of the event in the upcoming tournaments.

We are certain that the Arab teams will receive the required support and support from the Qatari and Arab masses. The Arabs are in solidarity and will support each other in order to perpetuate the saying "Khawa Khawa", just as we experienced it in the 1998 World Cup in France, where Arab fans came to support us from various European countries.

Basir considered his goal against Scotland in the 1998 World Cup the best of his career (Reuters)

  • What are the chances of the Arab teams in the 2022 World Cup?

The fortunes of all the teams are good, and the ambitions are legitimate, provided that the matches are handled well, and half opportunities are taken to reap the largest possible number of points.

The Qatari team lives in harmony and is witnessing technical stability and has distinguished players who can provide the expected addition, which is fully applicable to the Saudi team, which in turn is characterized by strength.

As for the Moroccan team, the percentage of technical stability is less due to the recent change and after the appointment of Regraki to succeed Wahid Halilhodzic. .

The Tunisian national team is in a strong group, but its chances of continuing the global journey remain. All support is given to all Arab teams to sign an exemplary participation, through which they confirm the levels that the ball has reached in the Arab countries.

  • Aren't you afraid that the Moroccan national team might be affected by a change of coach a few weeks before the start of the World Cup?

Technical stability and achieving the required harmony are two main factors in the football equation. However, the personality of Regraki and the confidence he enjoys on the part of Moroccans, as well as his good knowledge of the national team and the players, are factors that will facilitate the task and accelerate the formation of the required harmony and harmony awaiting translation of this on the ground and achieving the required readiness before The date of the start of the Arab World Cup.

  • What is the most prominent participation of the Atlas Lions in the history of the World Cup Finals?

In all honesty, all the years (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018) witnessed the emergence of the Moroccan national team at good levels, and we were close to reaching advanced stages, and all bet on the current group to reach advanced roles and devote the qualitative boom that national football knows at all levels.

The task will not be easy, and the road will not be paved with roses due to the strength of the matches that await us, but we are all confident in the group that will bear the task of representing Morocco.

  •  The Moroccan fans were motivating you with the famous phrase "Basir .. Basir", what does it mean to you and how was its impact?

I will not tell you a secret that it is a phrase that has a special impact and a distinct position in view of its positive repercussions, especially on the psychological level. It formed a source of inspiration and motivation and was a motive for giving and giving. It is one of my most important memories in my football career, and it reflects the amount of appreciation and support from the supporters, honestly it formed a source Pride and pride were additional doses of confidence that drive the player to give his all.

  •  You scored in the World Cup, which goal do you rate the best in your football career with the Atlas Lions?

Each goal has a special impact and value in the path of any player, especially when it comes to the end of a global wedding that will witness the participation of the best teams, coaches, goalkeepers and players.

And the first goal in the 1998 World Cup remains against Scotland with a special taste, since I scored in all competitions, and I had to continue scoring in the biggest global football wedding, which I succeeded in achieving with the grace of God and then the support of my colleagues.