He led his team to the semifinals in 2022
Coach of World Cup participant resigns
March 5, 2026 – 10:32 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
At the last finals he sensationally led his team to the semi-finals, but now Walid Regragui is stepping down shortly before the start of the World Cup. A successor seems to have already been chosen.
Morocco’s national coach Walid Regragui resigned from his position just three months before the start of the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Several media outlets report this unanimously.
Regragui surprisingly reached the semi-finals with Morocco at the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago and finished fourth. It was the best result in the association’s history.
A few weeks ago, the 50-year-old led the team to the final of the African Cup in his own country, but offered his resignation shortly after the tournament after the defeat against Senegal, as the French sports newspaper L’Equipe reported. The association tried to change Regragui’s mind, but was unsuccessful.
The first players reacted to the separation news via social media. Former Dortmund player Achraf Hakimi, who captained his country at the Africa Cup, wrote with emotional words: “Walid Regragui, thank you for the extraordinary work you did as coach of the Moroccan national team. Your leadership qualities, your passion and your vision have inspired not only the players, but also an entire country and millions of fans around the world.”
And further: “You have left an unforgettable mark on the history of Moroccan football. Thank you for making us dream and wearing our colors with so much pride.”
Regragui, who played 52 international matches for Morocco as a player, took over the position in 2022 and celebrated 36 wins in 49 games. At the World Cup in a few weeks, the team will be coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, who led the North African U20s to the World Cup title last October.
