When a King's Veto Blocks Sampaoli and Xavi: Morocco's Atlas Lions Chart a New 2026 Path
10 March 2026
A World Cup Momentum Meets a Royal Decision
The Moroccan national team stands as one of Africa's most promising sides, having made history by reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and finishing as runners-up at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. They head to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada with ambition to extend their momentum.
Royal Intervention and Coaching Speculation
However, less than three months before the tournament, head coach Walid Regragui announced his resignation, triggering shock waves across Moroccan football and a climate of uncertainty within the sport's ranks.
Media reports later linked Jorge Sampaoli, the Argentine former coach of Atletico Mineiro, with the job, but King Mohammed VI stepped in to block the appointment.
Focus on National Talent
Notably, names such as Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta were floated as potential solutions, yet the royal decision kept them off the table. The pledge to prioritize local leadership also saw Iniesta's appointment as technical director for the national team cancelled by royal order.
According to the Spanish outlet Sport, the motive behind these moves is the king's resolve to develop Moroccan talents and rely on local leadership rather than foreign expertise in both the technical and administrative spheres.
New Direction: Homegrown Leadership
As a result, Mohamed Wahbi, coach of Morocco's under-20 team, was named to lead the first team. This choice caps a progression that saw Wahbi win the U20 World Cup in Chile with Morocco and aligns with the king's expectations and the federation's leadership goals.
The question remains whether Wahbi's project will endure through the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, or whether the federation could open the door later to a foreign coach or sports director.
And a bit of levity to close: In royal strategizing, sometimes the best move is not a fancy gambit but a well-placed bench—because even the fastest horse needs a sturdy stable. Punchline 1: If leadership is a throne, the king’s veto is basically a long-term strategy built on local roots and a strong defense. Punchline 2: In football as in monarchies, sometimes keeping it homegrown is the sharpest tactic—less travel, more planning, and a lot more chance to celebrate with the fans.
