Walid Regragui’s achievement at 2022 World Cup will be remembered by generations – Fouzi Lekjaa

Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has praised Walid Regragui for his historic achievements with Morocco, particularly the team’s remarkable run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Regragui led the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals in Qatar, making Morocco the first African nation to reach the last four of the global tournament — a feat widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in African football history.

Despite that success, uncertainty surrounded his future after Morocco lost the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal.

The federation confirmed on Thursday that Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed as the new head coach, replacing Regragui.

Speaking during an honoring ceremony, Lekjaa applauded Regragui’s contribution to Moroccan football, stressing that the team’s World Cup performance would remain a proud chapter in the nation’s sporting history.

He described the achievement as a turning point that shifted Morocco’s mindset from simply taking part in major tournaments to competing with genuine ambition on the world stage.

Lekjaa also highlighted other successes during the same period, including Morocco’s victory in the Arab Cup and the youth national team’s triumph at the African level, noting that these achievements reflected the broader progress made under Regragui’s leadership.

According to the federation president, the ceremony was not only meant to celebrate past accomplishments but also to motivate the next generation, ensuring the national team continues to meet the expectations of King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people.

He added that the federation has undertaken a thorough review of the team’s performance following the AFCON campaign, with Regragui actively involved in the evaluation process.

Lekjaa emphasized that Morocco’s football project remains firmly on course, insisting the national team is building on an existing foundation rather than starting anew as it looks to achieve even greater success in future competitions.