The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is making a bold move to strengthen its technical bench by targeting a global football icon following the heartbreak of a home final defeat. The Atlas Lions lost 1-0 to Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, January 18.
A Dramatic and Controversial Finale in Rabat
The host nation's dream of a second continental title, 50 years after their 1976 triumph, was shattered in the most dramatic fashion. The match was decided by a 94th-minute strike from Senegal's Pape Gueye, but the climax was mired in controversy. In additional time, Morocco was awarded a late penalty, prompting the Senegalese team, the Teranga Lions, to momentarily walk off the pitch.
The situation was calmed after intervention from their captain, Liverpool legend Sadio Mane. Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz stepped up but missed the crucial spot-kick, and Senegal capitalized on the reprieve to secure their second AFCON title in five years.
FRMF Turns to Spanish Maestro Andres Iniesta
In response to this painful setback, the Moroccan federation is looking to add world-class experience to its setup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to reports from Spanish outlet AS, the FRMF has set its sights on Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta.
Discussions have already taken place in Rabat between federation officials and the retired midfielder, who is said to have shown strong interest in the role. The plan is for Iniesta to complement the work of head coach Walid Regragui, who led the team to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and now the 2025 AFCON final.
Iniesta, a World Cup and multiple Champions League winner, retired from playing in 2025 after spells with clubs in Japan and the United Arab Emirates. His potential appointment is seen as a strategic move to inject his unparalleled positional intelligence, big-game experience, and technical philosophy into the Moroccan national team project.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans Worldwide
The news of Iniesta's potential involvement has sparked a wave of reactions from fans on social media. Some see it as a masterstroke, while others question its implications.
One fan commented on the prospect of his tactical input, while another humorously suggested finding a way to get him eligible to play. A third fan raised a valid point, questioning whether bringing in such a high-profile foreign legend might overshadow local coaching talent within Morocco's ranks.
The overarching sentiment is one of intrigue, with many eager to see how Iniesta's vision would merge with the existing structure under Regragui.
In a related quirky pre-match story, a cat named Nimbus Pronos, known for predicting match outcomes, had initially chosen Morocco to win by eating from a bowl labelled with the host nation's name. However, the feline's prediction ultimately proved incorrect as Senegal lifted the trophy.
As Morocco looks to bounce back from this final defeat, the potential addition of Andres Iniesta to their coaching crew signals a clear ambition to go one step further on the world's biggest stage in 2026.
