The Moroccan football fraternity is closely following developments surrounding a high-level meeting held on Thursday between Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and national team head coach Walid Regragui.
The closed-door talks took place at the federation’s headquarters and are widely regarded as pivotal to the coach’s future with the national team ahead of major upcoming competitions, most notably the 2026 World Cup.
According to reports from the Qatari platform Win Win, the meeting focused heavily on assessing Morocco’s recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The tournament was reviewed in detail, with discussions examining the circumstances surrounding the team’s failure to secure the continental title, including a thorough analysis of the final match and the broader performance of the squad throughout the competition.
Sources indicated that significant attention was given to the technical and tactical decisions made by the coaching staff. The way key matches were approached and managed was evaluated, alongside decisions that generated considerable debate within Moroccan football circles during the tournament.
Beyond on-field matters, the talks also extended to Regragui’s contractual situation with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Particular focus was placed on the release clause in his contract, a factor considered central to any potential termination of his role.
Several legal and financial scenarios were reportedly discussed, although no definitive conclusion was reached during Thursday’s session.
The meeting further addressed the long-term vision for the Moroccan national team and the roadmap for the next phase, with preparations for the 2026 World Cup forming a major part of the conversation. Regragui’s current contract, which runs until the end of next July, was also taken into account as part of the broader evaluation.
Discussions included the willingness of the technical staff to continue the project under clearer objectives and stricter performance benchmarks, should the federation decide to maintain confidence in the current leadership for the next stage.
Despite the importance of the talks, no final decision was made regarding Regragui’s future. It was therefore agreed that a second meeting would be held on the evening of Friday, February 13, to conclude consultations and reach a final outcome that the Moroccan sporting public is eagerly awaiting.
Meanwhile, opinion within Morocco remains sharply divided. A section of supporters believes Regragui should be held accountable for the AFCON disappointment and is calling for a fresh start with new leadership.
Others argue that the limited time before the World Cup, combined with the difficulty of identifying a suitable replacement, makes continuity the more pragmatic option. They contend that Regragui’s deep understanding of the current squad and the challenges ahead could be crucial if Morocco are to remain competitive on the global stage.
