Morocco's Regragui Steps Down as Coach Just Months Before 2026 World Cup

The football world was stunned this week as Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui announced his resignation with fewer than 100 days remaining until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across North America, including matches in Canada.

During a Thursday evening press conference held alongside Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Regragui explained his decision. "The squad requires fresh leadership, renewed energy, and a different tactical approach moving forward," the departing coach stated. He emphasized that Morocco needs innovative direction to continue advancing ahead of football's premier global competition.

The 50-year-old tactician etched his name in the record books by guiding Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals - an unprecedented achievement for both African and Arab football. However, following that remarkable run, pressure intensified after Morocco suffered a devastating 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations championship match this past January. The loss was particularly painful as Morocco served as tournament hosts.

Ouahbi Takes the Reins

Stepping into the challenging role is Mohamed Ouahbi, a 49-year-old Belgian-Moroccan coach. Ouahbi previously guided Morocco's under-20 squad to victory at the Youth World Cup, but this marks his debut managing a senior international side - a significant step up in responsibility.

"My job isn't to rebuild from scratch, as the groundwork has been established. My mission is to maintain our competitive standards," Ouahbi declared with confidence. He's enlisted Joao Sacramento as his assistant - a Portuguese coaching specialist who previously collaborated with Jose Mourinho at Roma and Tottenham Hotspur, and also served at Paris Saint-Germain.

For those tracking Morocco's World Cup betting markets, this coaching transition introduces a fascinating variable. The Atlas Lions find themselves in Group C facing Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland - a challenging but navigable bracket. Sportsbooks will undoubtedly recalibrate their odds following Ouahbi's squad performances in upcoming friendlies against Ecuador on March 27 and Paraguay on March 31.

The Reasoning Behind the Timing

Despite his World Cup achievements, Regragui encountered mounting pressure. Morocco hasn't captured a continental championship since 1975, and supporters' expectations soared following their 2022 breakthrough. Critics, including fans and journalists, expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as excessively cautious strategies, particularly following underwhelming showings at recent competitions.

Team captain Achraf Hakimi honoured his departing coach through social media, describing Regragui as a "legend" whose "tactical acumen, dedication, and strategic thinking motivated not just the players, but our entire nation and countless supporters globally."

Morocco is evidently planning for long-term success. The nation is pouring billions into athletic facilities and will serve as co-host for the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Construction is underway for the Hassan II Stadium, projected to become the planet's largest football venue with capacity for 115,000 spectators. With such ambitious goals, Morocco's football authorities determined a coaching change was necessary to optimize their prospects at the upcoming 2026 tournament.