In an atmosphere filled with emotion and solemnity at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, presided over a ceremony last night marking the end of Walid Regragui’s era and the beginning of Mohamed Ouahbi’s tenure at the helm of the Atlas Lions. With less than 100 days until the 2026 World Cup (co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico), this press conference provided Lekjaa an opportunity to deliver a balanced speech: acknowledging the work accomplished by Regragui while firmly betting on the new generation represented by Ouahbi.
From the outset, Fouzi Lekjaa paid a heartfelt tribute to Hoalid Regragui, whose departure was officially announced after several months of mixed results, but highlighted by the historic semi-final of the 2022 World Cup and a positive momentum for Moroccan football:
> “Hoalid Regragui has made history with the Atlas Lions. He was able to unite, inspire, and proudly represent Morocco on the world stage. We express our gratitude for all he has brought to the national team. His legacy is strong, and we continue on the path he has charted: aiming for victories, transforming the team into a true powerhouse capable of winning trophies.”
Lekjaa emphasized that this change occurred within a “positive dynamic,” without a sudden break, but with a desire for continuity and evolution. He highlighted that the FRMF chose Ouahbi precisely for his ability to extend and amplify recent achievements.
Regarding Mohamed Ouahbi, the 49-year-old technician who won the U20 World Cup in 2025 in Chile, Lekjaa did not hold back on his praises, highlighting his discreet yet highly competent profile:
> “Mohamed Ouahbi works a lot but speaks little. He is a man of the field, a discreet builder who has already proven his excellence with the youth. He embodies this new generation of Moroccan technicians trained within the national system. We have total confidence in him to lead the Atlas Lions to new heights, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching.”
The president of the FRMF also mentioned the staff that will accompany Ouahbi, notably the appointment of João Sacramento (former assistant to José Mourinho) as the first assistant, a sign of a desire to bring international experience while remaining rooted in Moroccan identity.
Finally, Fouzi Lekjaa concluded on a note of optimism and collective mobilization:
> “Moroccan football continues to move forward thanks to the constant support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. We must all remain united: staff, players, supporters. The goal is clear: to make Morocco shine in 2026 and beyond.”
These words from Lekjaa, spoken with measured firmness, reflect a strategy of intelligent continuity: honoring the recent past while betting on a “shadow worker” coach to inject freshness and ambition. Supporters are now awaiting the first concrete actions from Ouahbi, starting with friendly matches at the end of March against Ecuador and Paraguay to assess whether this shift will bear fruit.
