Walid Regragui has resigned as head coach of Morocco’s national football team, bringing an end to a four-year tenure marked by historic achievement and a recent continental final appearance. According to reports from French sports daily L’Equipe, his departure has been formally concluded, with an official announcement from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) anticipated shortly.
The development follows weeks of speculation that began after Morocco’s defeat in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in January. The FRMF had publicly denied rumours of Regragui’s exit as recently as last week. However, sources now confirm a mutual agreement has been reached, concluding his spell in charge following the team’s 1-0 loss to Senegal in extra time of the Rabat final—a match that will stand as his last with the Atlas Lions.
Regragui’s legacy is defined by unprecedented success. Appointed in 2022, he swiftly guided Morocco to the semi-finals of that year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This run made Morocco the first African and first Arab nation ever to reach the tournament’s last four, a landmark achievement that elevated the profile of football across the continent and the wider region. His tactical organisation and defensive solidity were central to that campaign.
Beyond the World Cup, Regragui secured significant regional accomplishments. He led the team to victory in the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which qualified them for the Paris 2024 Olympic football tournament. His stewardship also delivered deep runs in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, culminating in the 2025 final on home soil—a first for Morocco—where they ultimately fell to defending champions Senegal.
Per reporting, Mohamed Ouahbi, the current head coach of Morocco’s Under-20 national team, is the leading candidate to succeed Regragui. The FRMF is expected to confirm both the coaching change and the new appointment in the coming days.
Regragui’s exit closes a transformative chapter for Moroccan football. His tenure delivered the nation’s best-ever World Cup performance and consistent continental success. The immediate focus now shifts to the FRMF’s next move as Morocco prepares for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the defence of their U-23 Olympic title, with a new coach tasked with building on the foundations established over the past four years.
