The “Regragui Revolution” has come to an abrupt and emotional end. In a move that has stunned the African football community, Walid Regragui has officially stepped down as the head coach of the Morocco national team.
The decision, confirmed today, March 5, 2026, comes just three months before the Atlas Lions are set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is set to hold a formal press conference tonight at the Mohammed VI Football Complex to finalize the details, sources close to the federation confirm that the separation was reached by mutual consent.
The Weight of a Promise
Regragui’s departure appears to be rooted in a combination of “mental exhaustion” and a strictly kept personal vow. Following Morocco’s historic semi-final run in Qatar 2022, Regragui publicly stated he would resign if he failed to lead the team to a major trophy.
Despite a stellar run to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in January, the Atlas Lions fell 1-0 to Senegal in a heartbreaking, controversial finish.
Reports suggest that Regragui felt he had reached the end of his cycle with the squad and preferred to step aside now rather than lead a “drained” technical staff into the World Cup.
The Successor: Mohamed Ouahbi Steps Up
The FRMF has wasted no time in identifying a replacement. Mohamed Ouahbi, the architect of Morocco’s recent FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph in October 2025, is the overwhelming favorite to take the senior reins.
Ouahbi’s appointment signals a desire for continuity and the promotion of the “Golden Generation” he has mentored at the youth level. He is expected to be joined by a high-caliber technical staff, including:
- João Sacramento: Former assistant to José Mourinho at Tottenham and Roma.
- Youssef Hadji: The Moroccan legend and former national team talisman.
Regragui’s Legacy
Regragui leaves as arguably the greatest manager in Moroccan history. In under four years, he took a fractured squad and turned them into a global powerhouse, becoming the first coach to lead an African and Arab nation to a World Cup semi-final.
He departs with an incredible record of 21 wins in his last 25 competitive matches, leaving the team ranked among the world’s elite.
As the nation prepares for tonight’s official announcement, the focus shifts to whether Ouahbi can capture the same “Avocado Head” magic in time for the opening match in June.
