Walid Regragui will lead Morocco as manager at World Cup 2022, his first taste of a major international tournament.
The 47-year-old is very new in the post, having replaced the sacked Vahid Halilhodzic in August, less than three months before the event in Qatar kicks off.
France-born Regragui had a distinguished playing career as a right-back, representing clubs like Toulouse, Ajaccio, Racing Santander, Dijon and Grenoble. He also earned 45 caps for Morocco and was part of the side that finished as runners-up at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
Walid Regragui took his first steps in coaching with the national team, working as an assistant to former head coach Rachid Taoussi from 2012 to 2013.
The former defender went on to lead Moroccan side FUS Rabat to the league and cup, before a spell in Qatar with Al-Duhail, who he led to the title.
He enjoyed a superb campaign last season when he led Moroccan side Wydad to the CAF Champions League title for the third time in their history, beating reigning champions Al Ahly in the final, as well as the Moroccan league title.
It was an impressive achievement from the young coach, who even picked up the nickname ‘The Moroccan Guardiola’, but he now faces a big challenge in leading Morocco to the World Cup with minimum preparation time.
Walid Regragui heads to Qatar with just two friendlies to his name as national boss: a 2-0 win over Chile and a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in September.
But he has already won over fans by recalling star man Hakim Ziyech back to the Morocco squad, whose frosty relationship with predecessor Halilhodzic led the Chelsea winger to announce his international retirement – a stance he has now changed for the new boss.
Regragui will be only the second Moroccan to lead the Morocco national team at the World Cup, after Abdellah Blinda in 1994.
Morocco are up against Belgium, Croatia and Canada in Group F of World Cup 2022.
