The news that Walid Regragui is leaving Morocco comes despite a record that many coaches would envy. In 2022, he led the team to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Morocco became the first African nation in history to reach that stage.
The team defeated Spain and Portugal along the way. That campaign reshaped global perceptions of African football.
Earlier this year, Regragui also guided Morocco to the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil. However, the Atlas Lions lost 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in Rabat.
The final was tense and controversial. A late penalty decision triggered protests and emotional scenes. Eighteen Senegal supporters were later jailed following disruptions during the match.
Although Morocco reached the final, expectations had been extremely high. Finishing second proved costly.
“I leave my post with loyalty, gratitude, and the certainty that I have served my country,” Regragui said during the televised announcement.
Walid Regragui leaves Morocco having raised the national team’s standards. His tenure restored belief and competitiveness. He took charge in August 2022, only months before the World Cup. Few expected immediate success. Yet Morocco reached the semi-finals by December.
Football analyst Antoine Morin believes Regragui’s legacy remains intact. “Walid Regragui’s run is a historic achievement,” Morin said. “That World Cup semi-final was monumental not only for Morocco but for the continent.”
Morin added that narrow margins often define tournament outcomes. A single penalty can shape history. The federation, however, appears determined to move in a new direction.
The RMFF appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as head coach in what officials describe as a strategic transition.
Ouahbi previously managed Morocco’s Under-20 side. In October 2025, he guided the team to victory at the U20 World Cup. The federation believes he represents continuity and renewal. “It’s a desire not to waste time and to take a different direction,” a source close to the federation told AFP.
Morocco now shifts their focus to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They have been placed in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The Atlas Lions begin their campaign against Brazil at MetLife Stadium on 13 June.
Changing a coach so close to a major tournament carries obvious risk. However, Regragui himself proved in 2022 that timing does not always limit success. The decision by Walid Regragui to leave Morocco may reshape squad planning. Ouahbi must balance continuity with fresh tactical ideas.
Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa made the long-term vision clear. “Our ambition is to consolidate our place among the best nations in a sustainable way and to perform well from this summer, as well as in 2030,” he said.
Morocco will also co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. That milestone raises expectations.
For now, the chapter ends on one of the most remarkable periods in Moroccan football. Walid Regragui leaves Morocco with a legacy. Whether the change enhances the Atlas Lions’ prospects before 2026 remains to be seen.
