Walid Regragui has stepped down as head coach of Morocco national football team, just three months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the squad needed “a new vision and a different energy.”
The decision, confirmed at a late-night press conference in Rabat on Thursday, follows weeks of speculation over his future. Regragui said he believed the national team would benefit from fresh leadership as it prepares for the tournament kicking off in June.
“I sincerely believe the team needs a new vision to be able to progress,” the 50-year-old coach said. “My decision to leave is for the better of the team.”
Regragui guided Morocco to historic success during his tenure, most notably leading the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar — the best performance ever by an African nation at the tournament. His side also reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in January but lost to Senegal national football team in a controversial match.
Despite a strong overall record — 36 wins, eight draws and five defeats in 49 matches since taking charge in September 2022 — Regragui had faced growing criticism from supporters. Under his leadership Morocco also set a world record with 19 consecutive international wins between June 2024 and December last year.
Regragui said he had wanted to resign after the Nations Cup defeat but agreed to remain temporarily until a successor was chosen. He cited exhaustion after nearly four years in the role.
Mohamed Ouahbi will take over as head coach, according to Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa. Belgian-born Ouahbi previously led Morocco to victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile last year.
Morocco will play two friendlies later this month as part of their World Cup preparations, facing Ecuador national football team in Madrid on March 27 and Paraguay national football team in Lens four days later.
At the World Cup, Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil national football team, Scotland national football team and Haiti national football team.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi paid tribute to his outgoing coach on social media, writing: “Thank you for the incredible work you did leading the Moroccan national team. Your leadership, passion and vision inspired not only the players, but also an entire country and millions of fans around the world.”
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