Mar 6 • 00:06 UTC 🇫🇷 France France24

Morocco parts ways with coach Walid Regragui three months before World Cup

Morocco's football federation has dismissed coach Walid Regragui and appointed Mohamed Ouahbi just three months before the upcoming World Cup.

Morocco's national football team has made a significant coaching change by parting ways with Walid Regragui, who led the team to the semi-finals of the last World Cup in 2022. This decision comes merely three months ahead of the next World Cup, raising questions about the team's preparedness and strategy leading into the tournament. The appointment of Mohamed Ouahbi as the new coach has been announced, following his previous success in guiding Morocco to win the Under-20 World Cup in October.

Regragui expressed his gratitude and loyalty to Morocco during the announcement of his departure, highlighting his belief that he had effectively served the country. The decision marks a notable shift, not just for the coaching staff but also for the players who have been under Regragui's leadership during a time of notable success, including a run to the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year. As a result, the national team's dynamics may undergo considerable change, with Ouahbi's coaching style and philosophy likely to differ from Regragui's.

This move can be seen as a gamble by the Moroccan football federation so close to an important tournament. It reflects the pressures faced within national teams as they prepare for global competitions, where both immediate performance and long-term strategies are in constant flux. How the players respond to this coaching change leading into the World Cup will be a key factor in Morocco's quest for success on the world stage.

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