BREAKING: A coach unexpectedly resigns before the World Cup even starts

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui has shocked the international football community by requesting to step down just four months ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Morocco national team is facing turmoil following the shocking news that Regragui has submitted his resignation. The timing could hardly be worse, with the Atlas Lions only four months away from beginning their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America. According to GOAL, Walid Regragui, the mastermind behind Morocco's historic progress over the past four years, is said to have informed the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) of his desire to leave his position immediately.

This decision comes after an emotional rollercoaster with the team. Morocco recently reached the AFCON 2025 final, their first appearance in the final since 2004. However, their 0-1 loss to Senegal in a match overshadowed by refereeing controversies and post-match tensions seemed to be the final straw for the coach. While fans hoped the team would use this as motivation for the World Cup, Regragui appears to believe his tenure has naturally come to an end.

According to sources from Foot Mercato, Regragui’s decision was not triggered by a single incident but rather the result of accumulated “mental exhaustion.” The pressure of leading the most successful African team in modern times is believed to have drained the 50-year-old coach, who has held one of the most scrutinized positions in world football since 2022. Despite receiving full support from fans and the federation, Regragui reportedly feels he no longer has the energy to guide the team at a top-level tournament like the World Cup.

The 0-1 defeat to Senegal in the AFCON final was especially bitter. After leading Morocco to the historic World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, Regragui was eager to bring a continental title to Rabat. That loss, combined with the enormous expectations from a nation now considering itself a football powerhouse, has left him exhausted.

Although Regragui wants to step down, his departure has not been finalized. The FRMF, led by President Fouzi Lekjaa, is carefully weighing whether to accept or reject the resignation. RMC Sport even reported that while the FRMF denies the resignation claims, Regragui has begun negotiations with clubs in Saudi Arabia about possibly moving there in the near future.

“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) completely rejects reports from certain media outlets claiming that the national team’s head coach Walid Regragui has handed in his resignation,” the FRMF statement clarified.

If this truly marks the end for Regragui, he will leave behind an unprecedented legacy in Moroccan football history with 36 wins in 49 matches. His era was defined by defensive solidity and tactical discipline, enabling Morocco to compete evenly with giants like Spain, Portugal, and Belgium on the biggest stage.