Hafiz Draji: Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and France Among the Top Contenders for the Advanced Rounds

Hafiz Draji, the Algerian sports commentator, recently shared his insights on the ongoing World Cup, emphasizing the difficulty of predicting which teams will make it to the semifinals at this stage of the tournament. He noted that accurate predictions require a comprehensive understanding of the upcoming matchups. In an interview with media personality Basma Wahba on the program '90 Minutes' aired on Al-Mahwar channel, Draji expressed that several major teams appear to be strong candidates for advancing further in the competition. He specifically mentioned Spain, Portugal, and even Germany, along with Argentina, the United States, Brazil, and Mexico, stating that these teams have significant chances of reaching the quarter-finals and beyond. Draji also highlighted France's position as a formidable competitor, reaffirming their status among the top contenders. He remarked, 'France, of course, they reached the final twice in a row and won in 2018, so they are definitely a candidate.' The commentator elaborated on France's extensive experience, which keeps them consistently in the running for global titles, alongside other traditional powerhouses. When discussing Morocco's chances, Draji pointed out that the task this time is 'very difficult,' explaining that replicating the historic achievement of the Atlas Lions in the 2022 World Cup will not be easy. He continued, 'The mission is tough this time,' attributing this to the fact that Arab teams, whether Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, or Tunisia, still struggle with a lack of continuity in their football culture. He added that their achievements are often 'exceptional' rather than based on long-term, sustained efforts. In conclusion, Draji expressed his hope for Morocco and all Arab teams, but he believes that repeating the success of 2022 poses a significant challenge in the current World Cup edition.