In a recent commentary that has resonated across North African football circles, Ahmed Shobair, the renowned Egyptian media personality and former goalkeeper for the Egyptian national team, has voiced significant apprehension regarding the internal dynamics of the Moroccan national squad. His concerns stem from emerging reports suggesting imminent modifications to the technical staff assisting head coach Walid Regragui, a move occurring merely months before the commencement of the 2026 World Cup finals.
Addressing the issue on his program “Ma’a Shobair” via “On Sport” radio, Shobair specifically reacted to Moroccan press narratives confirming the potential appointment of Mohamed Ouahabi—recently crowned champion of the FIFA U-20 World Cup—as an assistant to Regragui. The Egyptian pundit characterized this prospective decision as the “beginning of problems,” drawing from his extensive experience in the sport to sound a cautionary alarm.
Shobair elaborated on his stance, proposing a clear dichotomy for the Moroccan Football Federation: either grant Regragui complete autonomy in selecting his supporting staff without imposing specific names, or extend their gratitude to him and directly appoint figures like Mohamed Ouahabi or Tarik Sektioui as head coaches. He questioned the logic of integrating a world champion youth coach into a subordinate “assistant” role, positing that such enforced technical choices frequently culminate in clashes detrimental to the national team’s collective interest.
A Precarious Juncture for Moroccan Football
These warnings from Shobair emerge during an exceptionally sensitive period for Moroccan football. The future of Walid Regragui remains shrouded in uncertainty, despite the historic achievement of guiding the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Speculation about his possible departure intensified following the team’s loss in the final of the latest Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco itself, to the Senegalese national team. This outcome has fostered a palpable divide among the fanbase concerning his continued leadership for the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Confronted with this wave of reports, the Moroccan Football Federation felt compelled to break its silence just days ago, issuing an official statement that categorically denied all circulating news regarding Regragui’s dismissal or the submission of his resignation. Nevertheless, seasoned observers perceive the mere discussion of names like Ouahabi or Sektioui for prominent roles within the first-team setup as a potentially preemptive maneuver or a preparation of a “ready-made alternative.” It is precisely this scenario that Shobair cautioned against, fearing it could undermine Regragui’s absolute authority within the dressing room and destabilize the squad’s harmony on the eve of a global tournament.