Rabat, Morocco – In a stunning development just over three months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has parted ways with national team coach Walid Regragui. The decision, announced Thursday, sees the end of Regragui’s tenure and the appointment of Mohamed Ouahbi, fresh off a U-20 World Cup triumph, as his replacement. The move echoes a similar situation faced by Regragui himself before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, raising questions about stability as the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico approaches.
The FRMF confirmed the departure during a televised ceremony honoring Regragui, with federation president Fouzi Lekjaa expressing gratitude for the coach’s contributions. “Thank you to you Walid,” Lekjaa stated, wishing Regragui well in his future endeavors. Regragui, who took the helm in 2022, acknowledged leaving with “loyalty, gratitude and certainty of having served (his) country,” adding that he felt the team needed “a new breath” before the World Cup.
This decision comes as a surprise to many, given Regragui’s success in guiding Morocco to a historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup – a first for any African nation. He also led the Lions of the Atlas to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament hosted in Morocco, though the team ultimately fell short against Senegal in a controversial match that ended 1-0 after extra time. The AFCON final was marred by protests and a brief walk-off by the Senegalese team following a disputed penalty decision.
Mohamed Ouahbi, 49, steps into the role with significant momentum. He recently led Morocco’s U-20 team to victory at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, a feat that clearly impressed the FRMF. Ouahbi expressed his gratitude to Regragui and acknowledged the high expectations surrounding the national team. “I am aware of the expectations, very honored,” he said.
The timing of this coaching change is particularly noteworthy. Morocco is slated to begin its 2026 World Cup campaign on June 14th against Brazil. The parallels to Regragui’s own appointment in 2022, just 81 days before the Qatar tournament, are striking. In that instance, Regragui replaced Vahid Halilhodzic, who was dismissed by Lekjaa due to what the federation described as a tendency to exclude key players from the national team setup.
This latest move raises questions about the FRMF’s long-term planning and the pressure to succeed on the world stage. Whereas Ouahbi’s success with the U-20 team is undeniable, transitioning to the senior national team presents a different set of challenges. He will be tasked with building on Regragui’s foundation and navigating a difficult group that includes Brazil and other yet-to-be-determined opponents.
The Moroccan national team now faces a period of adjustment as Ouahbi implements his vision and prepares the squad for the challenges ahead. The focus will undoubtedly be on maintaining the momentum generated by Regragui’s tenure and ensuring a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup. For Moroccan fans, the hope is that this change in leadership will ultimately strengthen the team’s chances of making a deep run in the tournament.
The appointment of Ouahbi represents a bold gamble by the FRMF. Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but the stakes are undeniably high as Morocco prepares to compete on the biggest stage in international football. The team’s next confirmed action will be a series of international friendlies scheduled for May 2026, providing Ouahbi with valuable preparation time before the World Cup begins.
Archysport will continue to provide updates on this developing story and comprehensive coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
