Morocco: Mohamed Ouahbi surrounds himself with a Portuguese tactical genius to succeed Regragui

After months of rumors, Walid Regragui has officially announced his departure. The 50-year-old coach, a historic semi-finalist of the 2022 World Cup, is leaving his position just 100 days before the 2026 World Cup, weakened by the defeat in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations last January.

To succeed him, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has studied several international profiles, including Xavi Hernández and Jorge Sampaoli. While a verbal agreement had been mentioned with the Argentine, the negotiations ultimately failed, leading the organization to favor an internal solution with Mohamed Ouahbi.

Crowned world champion with the under-20s in Chile, Ouahbi has a perfect knowledge of the country’s young talents. This strategic choice confirms the federation’s desire to maintain national leadership, while strengthening the technical staff with world-renowned tactical expertise. João Sacramento’s expertise at the service of the Moroccan tactical project

João Sacramento, 36, joins the staff as assistant coach. Trained under the tutelage of José Mourinho, the Portuguese technician brings valuable analytical baggage acquired in demanding championships. He is recognized for his rigor and his in-depth knowledge of the very high European level.

Sacramento’s career includes experiences at Lille, Tottenham and AS Roma. He also collaborated with Christophe Galtier at Paris Saint-Germain and in Qatar, before briefly leading LASK Linz in Austria in June 2025, strengthening his profile as a leader.

According to the Federation, the integration of Sacramento should allow the development of the national team through a modern tactical approach. His mission will be to prepare the Atlas Lions for the upcoming global challenges, drawing on his experience of the biggest international competitions.