Morocco have parted company with head coach Walid Regragui less than four months before the World Cup finals. Walid Regragui led Morocco to the semi-finals at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, making history as the first African side to progress to the last four of the finals. He had been under intense pressure to deliver a first continental title since 1976, and speculation had been gathering in recent weeks that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation were set to make a change.
Morocco reached the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil, but lost 1-0 to Senegal after extra time. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has appointed a new national team coach, succeeding the man who led the team to a historic feat. The objective of the coaching change is to ensure the continuous development of Moroccan football through a structured roadmap.
' He added, 'I think the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing. ' There is disagreement among sources about the identity of the new head coach. BBC Sport reports that Mohamed Ouahbi, 49, has stepped up from the under-23 side to be the new head coach.
The new coach previously managed youth teams and has a background in youth development centers. However, Le Singulier reports that the new coach is of Belgian origin and previously won a world trophy with his youth selection the previous year. The reason for the discrepancy in reports is unknown.
The new coach will prepare the team for upcoming fixtures, including two friendly matches planned in Europe at the end of the month. Morocco will meet Ecuador and Paraguay in friendly matches during next month's international window. Morocco open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on 13 June.
They will also face Scotland and Haiti in Group C of the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In an official statement, the new coach expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and emphasized the will to continue developing the team with rigor and modesty, focusing on constant progress and high standards. His speech highlighted the importance of commitment and national sentiment to meet popular expectations and elevate the team to a higher level.