Rabat – Spanish coach Xavi Hernández has reportedly declined the opportunity to take over the Morocco national football team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to Catalan outlet Esport3.
The report states that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) included the former Barcelona manager on its shortlist of potential candidates to replace Walid Regragui, despite the fact that no official separation has yet been announced.
According to Esport3, Xavi has refused the post for the June 2026 tournament, believing there is not enough time to properly build and implement a competitive project before the World Cup. The 46-year-old prefers to start a cycle from the ground up rather than assume control months before a major competition.
However, while he has declined the role under the current timeline, Xavi would remain open to discussions about leading Morocco through a full cycle beginning after the World Cup.
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— FRMF (@FRMFOFFICIEL) February 24, 2026
Questions remain surrounding Regragui’s future
Esport3’s information drops right in the middle of a turbulent situation surrounding Regragui’s future with the Atlas Lions.
Although informed sources indicated last night that Regragui had told close associates he would not be lead the Atlas Lions during the 2026 World Cup finals, the FRMF moved swiftly to deny those claims, remaining the only party stubbornly clinging to the current narrative, creating a tense institutional standoff.
That backing came despite confirmed contacts with other technicians, including Italian coach Stefano Pioli, signaling that contingency planning may already be underway.
Regragui, who famously led Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, has faced mounting pressure following recent setbacks, including a heavy AFCON home defeat to Senegal that intensified criticism from supporters.
Beyond foreign profiles, internal solutions are also being discussed to replace him. Mohamed Ouahbi, the current Morocco U20 coach, is among the names mentioned within federation circles.
Meanwhile, many Moroccans believe Tarek Sektioui could represent the ideal successor. Sektioui has enjoyed great success with Morocco’s local and youth teams, guiding national sides to multiple titles (CHAN and Arab Cup) and securing an Olympic bronze medal.
Tactically, Tarek Sektioui is seen as the perfect fit because he brings the attacking spark that Regragui’s current system is missing. While the team has become a bit too predictable and defensive lately, Sektioui plays a high-energy game focused on fast forward passes and aggressive pressure.
Sektioui’s real “secret” is how easily he changes his tactics during a game to fix problems on the fly. He offers a great balance between Morocco’s famous solid defense and a much-needed punch in front of the goal.
However, there is a catch: some reports suggest some of the senior team members in the locker room aren’t fully on board with his appointment, and this locker-room tension might be the only thing stopping him from taking over before the 2026 World Cup.
For now, Regragui remains officially in charge. But with contrasting reports emerging within hours of each other, the situation around the Moroccan bench remains fluid as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues.
