CAF lauds Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi as model for youth development success

The Confederation of African Football has praised Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi as an example of how youth development can support success at senior international level.

CAF published the profile ahead of its strategy conference in Cape Verde, scheduled for October 7 to 9.

Wahbi, 49, took charge of Morocco only three months before the 2026 World Cup, replacing Walid Regragui. He guided the Atlas Lions to the quarter-finals, making Morocco the first African nation to reach the last eight at consecutive World Cups.

Morocco opened its campaign with a draw against Brazil before beating Scotland and Haiti. The team then eliminated the Netherlands on penalties and defeated Canada 3-0, but France ended its run with a 2-0 quarter-final victory.

CAF also traced Ouahbi’s coaching path from Anderlecht’s academy, where he specialised in youth development and won the Belgian Under-17 title in 2018. He later joined Morocco’s national-team structure and led the Under-20 side to the 2025 World Cup title in Chile, beating Argentina in the final. Othmane Maamma and Yassir Zabiri were among the standout players.

The governing body said Ouahbi’s journey underlines the value of linking player development, coach education and continuity between youth sides and the senior team.