Olympique de Marseille have initiated contact with Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui regarding their vacant managerial position, Moroccan press reports have confirmed, casting doubt over the Atlas Lions’ preparations for the 2026 World Cup just four months before the tournament.
Marseille officials have opened lines of communication with Regragui to gauge his interest in succeeding Roberto De Zerbi, who was dismissed from the Ligue 1 club earlier this month.
The French side are seeking to finalise their managerial appointment within the coming week, according to Moroccan outlet Al-Botola.
Regragui remains under contract with the Moroccan Football Federation until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, but uncertainty surrounding his future has intensified following Morocco’s defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final last month.
AFCON disappointment triggers speculation
The 49-year-old coach’s position has come under scrutiny after Morocco lost the AFCON final on home soil to Senegal by a single goal in January, ending hopes of securing the nation’s first continental championship in 50 years.
The defeat proved particularly painful given Morocco’s status as tournament hosts and pre-competition favourites.
French media outlets reported that Regragui had resigned following the final, prompting the Moroccan Football Federation to issue a swift denial.
However, the federation notably stopped short of confirming his continuation in the role, leaving the situation ambiguous and fuelling widespread speculation about his intentions.
The timing of Marseille’s approach could scarcely be more problematic for Morocco, with the World Cup scheduled to commence in approximately four months.
The national team are due to participate in friendly fixtures next month as part of the international calendar, requiring clarity on coaching arrangements.
Marseille’s managerial search intensifies
Marseille find themselves requiring urgent managerial reinforcement following De Zerbi’s departure. The Italian coach’s dismissal came amid disappointing results, with the club currently underperforming relative to pre-season expectations in Ligue 1.
Regragui has emerged as a leading candidate alongside Senegalese coach Habib Beye, the former Rennes manager.
The Moroccan’s profile has been enhanced by his management of Morocco’s impressive run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, when the Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach that stage of the competition.
That achievement in Qatar established Regragui’s reputation on the international stage and demonstrated his tactical acumen against elite opposition, making him an attractive proposition for major European clubs seeking experienced international management expertise.
Benatia factor adds complexity
The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of Mehdi Benatia, Marseille’s sporting director and former Morocco international defender.
Al-Botola reported that sources could not confirm whether Benatia had participated directly in the contact with Regragui.
Benatia himself announced his resignation from Marseille on 9 February, just hours before De Zerbi’s departure, subsequently confirming the decision publicly via Instagram following a draw with Strasbourg.
However, club owner Frank McCourt intervened, issuing a statement confirming Benatia would remain in position until at least the end of the current season with expanded sporting powers.
The Moroccan website suggested Benatia’s resignation saga might be connected to the Regragui situation, though no definitive evidence has emerged.
Reports earlier this week had indicated Benatia was being considered for Morocco’s coaching staff under potential new manager Tariq Sektioui, but he has since committed to continuing at Marseille.
World Cup preparations face disruption
The extended uncertainty surrounding Regragui’s future threatens to disrupt Morocco’s World Cup preparations at a critical juncture. With less than four months remaining before the tournament, stability in coaching arrangements would typically be considered essential for finalising tactical systems and squad selection.
Morocco qualified for the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will be seeking to build upon their historic 2022 semi-final appearance. The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal en route to the last four in Qatar before losing to France.
Regragui’s potential departure would represent a significant setback for Morocco’s tournament preparations, requiring the federation to identify, appoint, and integrate a replacement coach within an extremely compressed timeframe.
Decision timeline and implications
Marseille’s stated intention to resolve their managerial situation within the coming week suggests clarity on Regragui’s future should emerge imminently.
The club are understood to be keen to install a new coach rapidly to arrest their disappointing domestic campaign and plan for the remainder of the season.
For Regragui, the decision represents a significant career crossroads. Remaining with Morocco offers the opportunity to lead the nation at a World Cup and potentially surpass the achievements of 2022.
Conversely, Marseille represents a return to elite club management at one of France’s most prestigious institutions.
The Moroccan Football Federation faces a delicate balancing act between retaining their coach and acknowledging the disappointment of the AFCON final defeat.
Their handling of the situation in the coming days will prove crucial to Morocco’s World Cup preparations.
The resolution of this managerial uncertainty will carry significant implications for both Marseille’s immediate domestic ambitions and Morocco’s preparations for what represents the nation’s greatest opportunity to advance beyond their historic 2022 World Cup achievement. The situation is expected to be resolved within days.
