Morocco are searching for a new head coach after Walid Regragui stepped down from his role with the national team just months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision brings an end to Regragui’s four-year spell in charge of the Atlas Lions, a period that included some of the most successful moments in the country’s football history.
Reports indicate that the coach and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation mutually agreed to terminate his contract as preparations continue for the upcoming global tournament.
Regragui, who took charge in August 2022, quickly made an impact by guiding Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – the first time an African or Arab nation had reached that stage of the competition.
However, the team’s recent disappointment in the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year is believed to have played a role in the decision. Morocco, who hosted the tournament, were beaten 1–0 by Senegal after extra time in the final in Rabat.
The defeat ended hopes of securing a first continental title in nearly five decades and sparked increased scrutiny around the national team’s direction.
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With the World Cup now less than four months away, Morocco must quickly appoint a successor to lead the squad into the tournament in North America.
According to reports, youth team coach Mohamed Ouahbi is among the leading candidates to take over the senior side. Ouahbi currently works within the national federation setup and has extensive experience in youth development.
Morocco have already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup and will compete in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti when the tournament begins in June.
Despite the unexpected coaching change, expectations remain high for the Atlas Lions following their historic progress in recent years.
The federation will now hope a new manager can quickly build momentum and prepare the squad for another deep run on football’s biggest stage.