Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is out simply three months earlier than this summer time’s World Cup, the place they’re anticipated to be amongst the darkish horse contenders to win the entire thing. The coach introduced the choice in a press convention on Thursday, per Reuters. Mohamed Ouahbi, the pinnacle coach of Morocco’s U-23 nationwide group, is taking cost.
Morocco will play friendlies in opposition to Ecuador and Paraguay on the finish of the month as the ultimate levels of preparation start for this summer time’s event.
Regragui, a Morocco worldwide throughout his taking part in days, took the job in comparable circumstances. He took the helm simply three months earlier than the 2022 World Cup started in Qatar following the firing of Vahid Halilhodzic, settling in rapidly. The Atlas Lions reached the knockouts for the primary time since 1986 and went on to beat Spain within the spherical of 16 and Portugal within the quarterfinals, turning into the primary African group to succeed in the semifinals of a World Cup. Regragui himself was additionally the primary African coach and Arab coach to succeed in the final 4 of a World Cup, ultimately ending fourth place.
Expectations rose for Morocco after their World Cup run, getting into December’s Africa Cup of Nations on dwelling soil because the favorites to win the entire thing. Anchored by Brahim Diaz, the Spain-born Actual Madrid attacker who accomplished a one-time swap to Morocco and took half in his first event for the Atlas Lions, the hosts reached the ultimate and had a golden alternative to win their first AFCON title in 50 years after they received a penalty within the dying minutes of standard time. Senegal protested for an prolonged time period earlier than Diaz missed the spotkick, ultimately paving the way in which for Senegal’s Pape Gueye to attain the ultimate’s lone aim within the fourth minute of additional time.
Strain has mounted on Regragui since, going through calls to resign from reporters in a post-match press convention following the AFCON remaining.
Morocco are set to open their World Cup marketing campaign on June 13 in opposition to five-time champions at MetLife Stadium within the New York Metropolis suburbs. They proceed Group C play with a match in opposition to Scotland on June 19 at Gillette Stadium within the Boston space earlier than closing out the group with a match in opposition to Haiti on June 24 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
