The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has named Mohamed Ouahbi as the new head coach of the senior national team, the Atlas Lions, marking a significant leadership change ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 49-year-old Ouahbi, previously in charge of Morocco’s under-23 national team, takes over following the departure of Walid Regragui. His appointment is part of a deliberate strategy to sustain and build on the country’s recent football successes.
In an official statement, the federation described the move as more than a routine coaching change. “This is not simply a change. The objective is to ensure the continuous development of Moroccan football through a structured roadmap,” the statement read.
Ouahbi brings a strong track record from his time with Morocco’s youth sides, where he earned praise for his tactical acumen and player development skills. He now inherits a senior squad riding high on momentum and faces the immediate challenge of guiding the team through qualifying campaigns and preparations for the expanded 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Under previous management, the Atlas Lions achieved unprecedented heights, most notably becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. That historic run captured global attention and elevated Moroccan football to new prominence.
More recently, in 2025, Morocco advanced to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, narrowly losing 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in a tightly contested match. The performance underscored the team’s growing dominance and competitiveness on the continental stage.
The federation expressed full confidence in Ouahbi’s ability to maintain this upward trajectory while implementing long-term plans to keep Morocco among the elite of world football. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how the new coach shapes the squad in the coming months as preparations intensify for the global showcase in 2026.
