The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has reportedly named Mohamed Ouahbi as the new head coach of the Morocco national football team, replacing Walid Regragui ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Regragui vacated his position by mutual agreement with the federation this week, following months of speculation after Morocco’s narrow loss to Senegal national football team in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. His tenure is celebrated for leading Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but reports cite “mental exhaustion” and a desire to return to European club football as reasons for his departure.

Ouahbi, a 50-year-old Belgian-Moroccan tactician, gained attention after guiding Morocco’s U-20 squad to a World Cup title in October 2025. He is expected to be officially unveiled this Thursday, with the FRMF planning to surround him with an experienced technical team, including former João Sacramento and Moroccan legend Youssouf Hadji.

The new head coach faces an immediate challenge, with high-profile friendlies against Ecuador national football team and Paraguay national football team scheduled for late March. He will also need to stabilize the squad following the recent international retirement of long-time captain Romain Saïss.

Ouahbi’s appointment signals Morocco’s intent to maintain momentum from past successes while preparing for the challenges of the 2026 World Cup in North America.