Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa pays tribute to Walid Regragui after departure

President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa has praised Walid Regragui’s outstanding performance during his tenure as head coach of the Atlas Lions.

Regragui and the Moroccan FA officially severed ties on Thursday, bringing an end to a memorable spell in charge of the Atlas Lions.

However, Morocco U20 gaffer Mohammed Mohamed Ouahbi has appointed as the new head coach of the North African giants, replacing Regragui ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“The achievement of finishing fourth will be etched in the memory of generations, and it is proof that ambition can transcend mere participation.” He said at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Maâmora.

“We conducted a thorough evaluation of all aspects related to the national team, and Mr. Walid Regragui participated in this work with full responsibility, as a coach and a Moroccan who is proud to serve his country.”

“We thank Mr. Walid Regragui and all the staff for their efforts and sacrifices, which I witnessed firsthand. We were always one family within the national team, working towards one goal: the best interests of Morocco.”

“We wish you success in your professional and personal lives, and I assure you that the doors of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation will always remain open to you, because this is the foundation of our relationship.”

Regragui was appointed on August 31, 2022, replacing Vahid Halilhodžić just three months before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He signed a contract that was meant to run through the next World Cup cycle.

By the time he took the national job, the Moroccan coach had already built a strong reputation. Earlier in 2022, he led Wydad Casablanca to the CAF Champions League title after defeating Al Ahly SC in the final. Years earlier, he had also guided FUS Rabat to their first league championship in seven decades.

Those successes underlined his ability to manage high-pressure situations and deliver results. More importantly, he brought unity and belief to the national team ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

At the World Cup, Regragui guided Morocco to a historic semi-final finish, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage of the competition. The run transformed the global perception of the Atlas Lions and elevated them among the world’s most respected national teams.

His overall record with Morocco remained impressive — 35 wins, nine draws and only five defeats — with the team climbing to eighth in the FIFA world rankings, the highest ever achieved by an African nation.