Madrid: Xavi Hern¡ndez has turned down an opportunity to become the head coach of the Moroccan national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Spanish newspaper Marca reports that the Moroccan Football Federation considered appointing the former Barcelona head coach to lead their team in the tournament scheduled to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Xavi, however, expressed his preference to commence his role after the World Cup rather than just four months prior to its start.
According to Thai News Agency, the current head coach of Morocco, Walid Rekragui, faces the possibility of being dismissed following his inability to secure a victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted in Morocco. Despite this, the Moroccan Football Federation has refuted claims of a potential coaching replacement. Rekragui's contract is valid through the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. He took charge of the team in September 2022 and successfully guided them to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.