Rabat – It is now official: Walid Regragui is officially leaving his position as head coach of the Atlas Lions, bringing an end to weeks of speculation and conflicting reports about his future. Mohamed Ouahbi is replacing him as Morocco’s new national team coach.
Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) announced the news tonight, after weeks of speculation and denying the news that Regragui is leaving his position as the national coach.
His departure comes in the aftermath of Morocco’s disappointing and heartbreaking exit from the AFCON during the chaotic final against Senegal on January 18.
The match was disrupted by the Senegalese team leaving the pitch for nearly 15 minutes. Senegal fans attempted to storm the field and vandalized the stadium in fits of violence.
The incident ultimately shifted the momentum of a match that many wanted Morocco so badly to secure, especially after more than 50 years without an AFCON title.
Regragui had previously stated that he would leave if he failed to win the AFCON, which further fueled rumors of an imminent resignation.
He was also recently linked to a move to Marseille after Medhi Benatia announced his now-turned-off resignation.
Regragui’s Morocco story: arrival, approach, and early impact
Walid Regragui took charge of Morocco’s national team on August 31, 2022, just three months before the World Cup in Qatar. He replaced Vahid Halilhodzic and signed a contract through the next World Cup cycle.
Regragui was not a newcomer. Earlier that year, he guided Wydad Casablanca to the CAF Champions League title, beating Al Ahly in the final. Back in 2016, he had already made history with FUS Rabat, winning their first league title after a 70‑year wait.
These achievements built his reputation as a coach who could handle pressure and deliver results. Beyond tactics, he united the squad before Qatar.
At the 2022 World Cup, he led Morocco to the semi‑finals, the first time an African and Arab team reached that stage. The run changed Morocco’s image globally and made the Atlas Lions one of the most respected sides outside Europe and South America.
His record since then has been strong. 35 wins, 9 draws, and 5 defeats, with Morocco climbing to 8th in the FIFA rankings, the highest ever for an African nation. That success raised expectations, especially when Morocco hosted AFCON.
But, AFCON exposed the other side of the pressure. Morocco entered with a 50‑year continental title drought, last winning in 1976.
Regragui faced criticism over squad choices and fitness management. Decisions to keep key players like Romain Saiss on despite injury concerns became a major talking point.
Saiss later retired from international football, a symbolic moment for a team balancing ambition with transition.
The problem for Regragui is that camp and selection were judged against the standard he set in Qatar. That same standard became a trap at AFCON, where anything short of the trophy was seen as failure.
Mohamed Ouahbi: background, achievements, and why he was chosen
Walid Regragui’s departure marks the start of a new chapter for Morocco. Mohamed Ouahbi will take over, with former Jose Mourinho assistant coach Joao Sacramento and Youssouf Hadji joining as assistants.
Ouahbi is not an unknown figure. He has been a key coach in Morocco’s youth setup since March 2022, leading the U‑20s to the historic World Cup win in 2025 against Argentina.
Before that, he spent 17 years at Anderlecht’s academy in Belgium, working across age groups and helping develop players who later reached top European leagues. He holds a UEFA Pro License, giving him the credentials to step into the senior role.
His style is shaped by youth development. He is known for his discipline, focus on teaching, and commitment to long‑term planning.
And the example is how he rebuilt Morocco’s U‑20 team into a compact, organized side capable of competing with the world’s best.
That work showed results. In May 2025, Morocco reached the U‑20 AFCON final, losing narrowly 1-0. Ouahbi framed the defeat as a lesson for the future.
Just months later, in October 2025, Morocco won the FIFA U‑20 World Cup, beating Argentina 2-0 in the final. And this was Morocco’s first title in the competition and a historic moment for the Arab world.
Ouahbi’s rise reflects the federation’s strategy: continuity through development. Morocco’s recent success has been fueled by players trained in Europe, and Ouahbi’s background fits that model.
His emphasis on identity, structure, and repeatable performance aligns with the FRMF’s vision heading into the next World Cup cycle.
With Regragui gone, Ouahbi’s blend of youth expertise and tournament success makes him the natural successor. He inherits a team under pressure to deliver trophies, but his track record suggests he is prepared to manage both expectation and transition.
What comes next for Morocco
Morocco’s coaching change comes with the World Cup just months away, leaving little time to adjust. Ouahbi will step in immediately, moving directly from youth football into the senior job.
His first task is not about tactics but stability, as Morocco ended AFCON surrounded by controversy, disciplinary sanctions, and sharp criticism.
Ouahbi must calm the environment, refocus the squad, and make smart selection calls for players coming off demanding European seasons.
The second challenge is long-term. Morocco’s football project is built on youth success, infrastructure, and hosting prestige.
Now, Morocco must use recent youth titles and deep talent pools to prove that the 2022 World Cup semi-final run was no accident. Ouahbi, with his background in youth development and tournament wins, fits that plan.
