Former Morocco international Younes Belhanda has reignited debate over his exclusion from the country’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while making controversial comments about Brahim Diaz’s missed penalty in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.
The midfielder, who currently plays for Qatari club Al-Sailiya, discussed both incidents during an appearance on the Riolo Club programme. He spoke about the disappointment he experienced after then-Morocco coach Walid Regragui left him out of the squad for the tournament in Qatar, before offering his interpretation of the penalty incident involving Diaz.
Belhanda admitted that missing the World Cup had affected him psychologically, particularly because he had believed he still had a realistic opportunity to represent his country at the competition.
The former international also suggested that there might have been an understanding between Diaz and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before the penalty was taken in the AFCON final. However, he made it clear that his comments were based on personal opinion rather than any evidence.
Belhanda opens up about painful World Cup exclusion
Belhanda revealed that the disappointment of being left out of Morocco’s squad for the 2022 World Cup was so significant that he chose not to follow his country’s matches during the tournament.
The midfielder explained that playing at the World Cup had been one of his ambitions, and he had hoped to make the competition his final appearance for the national team before bringing his international career to an end.
He also admitted that he still did not fully understand why Regragui decided against including him in the final squad.
According to Belhanda, his relationship with the coach had been positive before the tournament, and he had even spoken to Regragui ahead of the announcement of the selected players. That conversation had left him believing that he could still be part of the group travelling to Qatar.
However, he said the most painful aspect of the experience was not necessarily being excluded, but the absence of a convincing explanation from the coach.
Belhanda indicated that he would have found it easier to accept the decision if Regragui had clearly explained the reasons behind it.
The former Morocco midfielder further disclosed that he only returned to watching the national team’s matches after Regragui had left his position, highlighting how deeply the experience had affected him.
Belhanda questions circumstances surrounding Diaz’s penalty
His comments about the World Cup were followed by another controversial assessment concerning Morocco’s defeat by Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Diaz had the opportunity to put Morocco ahead from the penalty spot but failed to convert his attempt after choosing to use the Panenka technique.
The missed opportunity became one of the defining moments of the final, with Senegal eventually securing victory and the continental title.
Discussing the incident, Belhanda questioned the circumstances surrounding the penalty, particularly the way Diaz attempted to score and the reaction of Senegal’s players.
He suggested that the events had made him consider whether there had been an agreement between the Moroccan forward and Mendy before the kick was taken.
Speaking about the photo, Belhanda said, “I think they agreed on it,” before clarifying that what he said was merely his personal opinion, stressing that he did not have any evidence to prove this possibility.
His remarks have attracted attention because of the significance of the penalty in the final and the disappointment it caused among Moroccan supporters.
Diaz’s failure to convert the spot-kick denied Morocco an opportunity to take the lead at a crucial stage of the match, before Senegal went on to settle the contest in their favour.
Belhanda’s suggestion, however, remains an unsubstantiated personal opinion. He did not present evidence to support the possibility he raised, meaning his comments cannot be regarded as an established accusation against Diaz or Mendy.
Two unresolved talking points return to the spotlight
Belhanda’s latest appearance has brought renewed attention to two subjects that have continued to generate discussion among Moroccan football supporters.
His exclusion from the 2022 World Cup remains a source of personal disappointment, with the former midfielder still questioning the reasoning behind Regragui’s decision.
At the same time, his comments about Diaz’s missed penalty have reopened debate surrounding one of the most decisive moments of the 2025 AFCON final.
The two incidents are different in nature, but both involve significant moments in Morocco’s recent football history.
While Belhanda’s account provides further insight into the personal impact of missing the World Cup, his assessment of the penalty has introduced another controversial opinion into the discussion surrounding Morocco’s defeat by Senegal.
