After losing the Africa Cup final in their own country, there are increasing signs of a new beginning at the Atlas Lions – a successful U20 coach is available as a successor for the 2026 tournament.
Rabat – In the Moroccan football world, everything points to an end to the Walid Regragui era. As several media outlets, including Le360 Sport and the French L’Équipe, unanimously report, the official announcement of the separation is imminent. Although the Moroccan Football Association (FRMF) denied reports last Thursday afternoon that a replacement had already taken place, there are increasing indications that the 50-year-old Regragui has made his position available.
Historic successes and continental disappointment mark the end of the Regragui era
Walid Regragui leaves behind an impressive legacy. Since taking office in August 2022, he has led the Atlas Lions to a historic semi-final appearance at the World Cup in Qatar and established the team at number 8 in the FIFA world rankings. Under his direction, Morocco also achieved a world record of 19 consecutive victories.
Despite these global successes, the longed-for continental title failed to materialise. After the round of 16 exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, there was a bitter defeat in the final of the 2025 home championship against Senegal. According to L’Équipe, Regragui submitted his resignation immediately after this setback, but was initially asked by the association to reconsider the decision. Now the separation seems to have been finalized by mutual consent.
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With Mohamed Ouahbi, the association is relying on continuity and internal support
Mohamed Ouahbi is considered the favorite to succeed him. The 49-year-old Belgian-Moroccan coach celebrated an outstanding success as recently as October 2025 when he won the World Cup with the Moroccan U20 national team in Chile. Ouahbi, who shaped the renowned RSC Anderlecht youth academy for over 17 years, is considered an excellent communicator and tactician.
His journey from teacher in Brussels schools to world champion coach underlines his ability to guide young talent. “The training of a player is, first and foremost, the training of a person,” Le360 Sport quoted him as saying. With his appointment, the FRMF would remain true to the principle of relying on expert coaches with Moroccan roots to strengthen the team’s national identity.
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The new national coach faces the challenge of the 2026 World Cup
There isn’t much time to get used to it. The 2026 World Cup begins in less than 100 days in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Morocco will face prominent opponents in the group stage: the opening game will take place on June 13th at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against Brazil, followed by games against Scotland and Haiti. The expectations are enormous after the successes of the last few years. Ouahbi’s task will be to combine Regragui’s defensive stability with new offensive impulses in order to defend their place among the world’s best.
Source:
maghreb-post.de
