Morocco has decided to keep Walid Regragui as the head coach of the Atlas Lions, despite their early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced yesterday that it has renewed its confidence in Regragui, who led the team to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a historic feat for any African nation.
However, Regragui’s reputation took a hit after Morocco, one of the favorites to lift the continental trophy, suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to South Africa in the round of 16 of the AFCON.
The match was marred by a brawl between the players and staff of both teams, which resulted in Regragui being banned for two games by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The ban was later lifted after an appeal by the FRMF.
The FRMF said in a statement that it will provide Regragui with all the means to achieve the level that Moroccan football deserves, and urged him to work hard to satisfy the Moroccan fans in the upcoming competitions, especially the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 AFCON, which will be hosted by Morocco.
Regragui, a former Moroccan international who played for clubs such as PSG, Fenerbahce and Al-Duhail, was appointed as the coach of the Atlas Lions in July 2021, replacing Vahid Halilhodzic. He has a contract until 2026.
