Scotland's World Cup rivals rocked by history-making boss' shock decision as Brazil dealt major injury blow

Two of Scotland’s World Cup opponents have been rocked by setbacks just 98 days before the North American tournament starts this June.

After ending their nearly three-decade wait to qualify for the World Cup with a memorable 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park in November, Scotland were drawn in Group C of the tournament. They will face Haiti and Morocco in Boston, before travelling to Miami to take on Brazil in their final group fixture.

However, one of those sides will head to the tournament with a new man at the helm after the shock departure of Moroccan boss Walid Regragui, who confirmed he had taken the decision to quit his role as head coach of the national team just months before they compete at the World Cup via a late-night news conference on Thursday.

Regragui has quit his role as head coach of Morocco. | AFP via Getty Images

The 50-year-old boss made history with Morocco at the last World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the competition. He also led the side to the final of this year's African Cup of Nations (AFCON) before losing in extra time to Senegal in Rabat.

“The team needs a fresh face, a different energy, and a new perspective with a new coach," said Regragui at his press conference. "I think the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing. My decision to leave is part of this team's evolution.”

The Moroccan FA have announced that Regragui will be replaced by under-23 boss Mohamed Ouahbi, with the 49-year-old promoted to the role of senior head coach. A statement said, “This is not simply a change. The objective is to ensure the continuous development of Moroccan football through a structured roadmap."

Ouahbi’s first game in charge of the Atlas Lions be the pre-tournament friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay on March 27 and 31, respectively. The beaten AFCON finalists will face six-time champions Brazil in their first game at the World Cup on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, Brazil have confirmed that star striker Rodrygo has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) for Real Madrid in their game against Getafe earlier this week. Described as “one of the worst days of my life" by the 25-year-old frontman, he was making his first appearance in over a month, as he came off the bench in their 1-0 home defeat on Monday. Despite completing the game, scans afterwards showed that he had ruptured his ACL.

Capped 37 times by the national team, he was an ever present at the last World Cup in Qatar as Brazil made it to the quarter-finals of the competition before being knocked out by Croatia in a penalty shootout. “Maybe life has been a little cruel to me lately,” said the Brazilian forward. “I don't know if I deserve this, but what can I complain about? How many wonderful things I've experienced that I didn't deserve either.

“I'm out of the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country, a dream that everyone knows how much it means to me. And all I can do is be strong as always, this is nothing new. Even though it's a very difficult time, I promise not to stop here, I believe I still have many incredible things to experience and bring joy to everyone who trusts me."

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