Regragui Steps Down as Morocco Coach as FRMF Appoints Mohamed Ouahbi

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as the new head coach of Morocco’s senior national team, replacing Walid Regragui, who has stepped down from the role just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement was made on March 5 in Rabat, where the federation also unveiled its new strategic plan known as the “Morocco 2030” roadmap, aimed at strengthening the country’s football structure and maintaining its growing status on the global stage.

According to the FRMF, the decision to appoint Ouahbi represents a strategic transition designed to consolidate Morocco’s football progress while maintaining national leadership at the helm of the sporting project. Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa explained that the roadmap seeks to connect all levels of Moroccan football — from the senior national team to youth development and women’s football — in order to build a sustainable and competitive system ahead of future global tournaments.

Ouahbi earned recognition within Moroccan football after guiding the country’s U-20 national team to victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, a historic triumph that highlighted his ability to develop players, build cohesive teams and maintain high competitive standards. His work with youth development has been widely praised and is considered a key reason behind his promotion to the senior national team.

Speaking after his appointment, Ouahbi expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized his commitment to maintaining high standards with the Atlas Lions. He stated that the team would approach the upcoming matches with humility, dedication and a clear working method, aiming to continue the progress of Moroccan football while meeting the expectations of the Moroccan people.

The FRMF also announced the addition of João Sacramento to the technical staff as part of efforts to strengthen the team’s performance management structure. Sacramento brings experience from top European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma, and Tottenham Hotspur, where he served as assistant coach. His arrival is expected to introduce new working methodologies and reinforce the team’s daily preparation.

The federation also paid tribute to outgoing coach Walid Regragui for his contribution to Moroccan football. During his tenure, Regragui oversaw one of the most successful periods in the country’s history, guiding Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making them the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage of the competition. He also led the Atlas Lions to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Across his time in charge, Regragui managed 49 matches, recording 36 victories, eight draws and just five defeats, leaving behind a legacy that significantly elevated Morocco’s status in world football.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Ouahbi will now be tasked with building on those achievements while guiding the Atlas Lions into a new chapter under the federation’s ambitious Morocco 2030 vision.