The coaching staff of the new Atlas Lions head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is finally taking shape. After days of hesitation between Youssouf Hadji and Adil Ramzi for the position of second assistant, former international Youssouf Hadji has been chosen, joining João Sacramento as first assistant. This decision, made official on March 17, 2026, marks a key step in Morocco’s post-Walid Regragui transition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Hadji, who earned 64 caps and scored 16 goals for Morocco between 2003 and 2012, brings deep knowledge of the national team environment and continuity from his previous role as assistant with the U23s under Tarik Sektioui. Trained at AS Nancy, he represents the local profile sought to balance the tactical expertise of Sacramento, a former assistant to José Mourinho at PSG, Roma, and Tottenham. Adil Ramzi, who was recently considered the frontrunner according to SNRTnews, could bounce back by taking charge of the U23s, though nothing has been confirmed.
Mohamed Ouahbi, 49, who led Morocco’s U20s to the world title in October 2025 with a 2–0 win in the final against Argentina, now takes over an ambitious squad following the 2025 AFCON. Born in Belgium and trained at Anderlecht, where he coached players such as Bilal El Khannouss and Jérémy Doku, Ouahbi aims to extend the legacy of the African vice-champions. The staff also includes fitness coach Ismael Fernandez, formerly of Olympique de Marseille and Villarreal.
With a coaching team combining international expertise and Moroccan roots, Ouahbi will unveil his first squad list on Thursday, March 19, at the Mohammed VI Complex. The Atlas Lions are entering a new era—with the 2026 World Cup in sight, fans are expecting concrete results from the upcoming fixtures. Hadji’s appointment reinforces team cohesion ahead of the challenges to come.