Mohamed Wahbi is close to taking over as coach of the Moroccan national team, succeeding Regragui
French press reports have revealed a strong inclination within the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to appoint national coach Mohamed Wahbi as the coach of the first national team, to replace national coach Walid Regragui in the next stage.
According to the French network Foot Mercato, this decision comes in the wake of talk about the end of Walid Regragui's journey with the "Atlas Lions" after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the Moroccan Federation's repeated denials of any intention to change, the new information indicates a desire to inject new blood into the national team's technical staff, especially given the high expectations of the Moroccan fans.
The era of Regragui and the legacy of the World Cup
It is impossible to discuss the future of the Moroccan national team without revisiting the unprecedented and historic achievement of Walid Regragui at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Regragui etched his name in history by leading Morocco to the semi-finals and securing fourth place globally, an accomplishment that inspired the African continent and the Arab world. This significant legacy has raised expectations considerably, placing immense pressure on the coaching staff to deliver continental titles, particularly the Africa Cup of Nations, a trophy that has eluded Morocco for many years.
Mohamed Wahbi... the man for the next phase
The same sources indicated that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has already settled on Mohamed Wahbi as a potential successor, and he is expected to take the helm of the "Atlas Lions" in the qualifiers and preparations leading up to the 2026 World Cup finals. This choice comes based on the great grassroots work that Wahbi has done with the youth categories, as he is seen as an engineer capable of integrating rising young talents with the pillars of the first team, to ensure the continuation of Moroccan brilliance internationally.
Wahbi enjoys a good reputation in sporting circles thanks to his tactical discipline and his detailed knowledge of Moroccan football and the talents spread across Europe, making him a strategic choice for the sensitive transitional phase.
Competition with Tariq Sektioui
The path to Wahbi's selection was not easy, as the report confirmed that Tariq Sektioui was a fierce competitor for the position. Sektioui boasts an impressive record of achievements, most notably leading the Moroccan Olympic team to a historic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in addition to previously winning the African Nations Championship and the Arab Cup. Despite the consideration of other world-renowned names, such as Spanish coach Xavi Hernandez, the Moroccan Football Federation ultimately opted for Mohamed Wahbi.
Observers believe that Wahbi’s selection reflects a new philosophy based on investing in coaches who have progressed with national teams. Despite concerns about his lack of experience with major first teams, he will have the opportunity to prove his worth, as he is scheduled to begin his journey with strong friendly matches against Latin American teams such as Ecuador and Paraguay, which will be the first real tests for the new coach.
