Morocco coach Walid Regragui admits Hakim Ziyech's World Cup selection was no sure thing.

The Chelsea midfielder had quit international football after a bust-up with Regragui's predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic.

And Regragui recalled to L'Equipe: "The hardest part was talking to him face to face because he was angry about his situation.

"He didn't answer, so I contacted a mutual friend and we spoke via video. We laid the foundations for the World Cup project.

"The priority that on his return we all worked for the same goal. Morocco could not go to Qatar without its best elements."