Background

Walid Regragui is a Moroccan-French football manager and former international defender. He played over a decade for clubs in France and Morocco, earning 45 caps for Morocco. After retiring from playing, he built his management career in Moroccan club football, winning the 2021-22 CAF Champions League with Wydad AC before being appointed Morocco national team head coach in August 2022.

Regragui led Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, defeating Spain and Portugal along the way before losing to France. Morocco became the first African nation to reach a men's World Cup semi-final, a performance that transformed Regragui into one of the most respected tactical coaches in international football. He retained the squad's core, including Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, through the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and into 2026 qualification.

At the 2026 World Cup, Morocco face a Neymar-less Brazil in the group stage on 13 June at MetLife Stadium, without their injured forwards Walid Cheddira and Youssef En-Nesyri. The Atlas Lions enter as one of the few sides with a proven ability to contain elite opposition, with Regragui's defensive organisation and set-piece delivery again central to their approach.

Morocco topped a route through the knockout rounds that Regragui built on his 2022 template: past the Netherlands on penalties on 29 June, then past co-host Canada 3-0 in Houston on 4 July to reach the tournament's first confirmed quarter-final, against France on 9 July. His selection for that tie is complicated by a fitness doubt over top scorer Ismael Saibari, who limped off with a thigh injury against Canada.

Common Questions

How far did Morocco go in the 2022 World Cup?

Morocco reached the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, defeating Spain and Portugal before losing to France. They became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.Source: event

Who are Morocco's key players at the 2026 World Cup?

Despite losing forwards Cheddira and En-Nesyri to injury, Morocco can call on Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, and Azzedine Ounahi from the squad that reached the 2022 semi-finals.Source: event

Who does Morocco play first at the 2026 World Cup?

Morocco face a Neymar-less Brazil on 13 June 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in their opening group-stage fixture.Source: event

How far has Morocco gone at the 2026 World Cup?

Morocco reached the quarter-finals, beating the Netherlands on penalties on 29 June and co-host Canada 3-0 on 4 July, and face France on 9 July for a place in the semi-finals.Source: Lowdown

How the World Sees Them

Africa

Regragui's 2022 achievement is viewed continent-wide as a generational breakthrough that reshaped assumptions about African football's ceiling in global competition.

Brazil

Brazilian media and supporters view Regragui's Morocco as a genuine threat, knowing the Atlas Lions neutralised South American opposition in 2022 with disciplined defensive structures.

Morocco

Regragui has become a national figure, embodying a new confidence in Moroccan football on the world stage. The 2022 run created genuine belief the Atlas Lions can advance deep again.