Mohammed Ouahbi Appointed as Morocco National Football Team Coach

The Moroccan Football Federation announced on Thursday the appointment of Mohammed Ouahbi as the new head coach of the Moroccan national team, replacing Walid Regragui, who stepped down after leading the team since 2022.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held by the federation to honor Regragui for his achievements with the national team. 

Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa confirmed that Ouahbi had been chosen to guide the team through the next stage.

Ouahbi expressed gratitude to the Moroccan federation and its president for placing their trust in him. 

He acknowledged the magnitude of the responsibility, especially with only a few months remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

For his part, Regragui said that certain periods require “new dynamics, different faces, and a fresh vision,” explaining that his decision to step aside came after a comprehensive evaluation and a desire to give the national team renewed momentum ahead of the World Cup.

Regragui leaves his position after leading Morocco to a historic achievement at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals, becoming the first African team in history to do so.

However, Morocco finished as runners-up in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, losing the final to Senegal, which fueled speculation about a possible change in the coaching staff.

Ouahbi previously coached Morocco’s youth national team and led them to victory in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, a success that strengthened his reputation as one of the country’s promising coaches.

He will now take charge of the senior national team as Morocco prepares for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.