Iniesta's Decision to Decline Role with Moroccan Football
In a surprising turn of events, Andrés Iniesta has chosen not to take up a position within the Moroccan Football Federation, despite previous reports suggesting otherwise. The Spanish media had speculated that the former Barcelona superstar, who retired from professional football in 2024 after a final season in the United Arab Emirates following a five-year stint in Japan with Vissel Kobe, would step into the role of sporting director for the national teams of Morocco. This role was seen as a potential opportunity to guide the development of football in the country, especially following the resignation of the national team's coach, Walid Regragui, amid intense criticism from Moroccan media.
Iniesta's discussions with the Moroccan federation officials, which reportedly took place over four meetings in recent months, included his attendance at several matches during last winter's Africa Cup of Nations. However, the two-time Ballon d'Or runner-up ultimately declined the offer to become sporting director. Instead, Iniesta is focused on launching his coaching career, a path that requires a long-term vision, especially with the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America on the horizon.
As reported by _El Mundo_, Iniesta's rejection of the position is notable considering the recent changes within the Moroccan national team, which is now led by Mohamed Ouahbi, who was promoted from the U20 squad that won the World Cup in 2025. With the national team preparing for the World Cup in just a few months, Iniesta's absence will be felt, but his commitment to pursuing a coaching role highlights his desire to shape the future of football rather than take on a more administrative role.
Xavi Hernandez: A Potential Future Coach for Morocco?
Meanwhile, the Moroccan federation continues to keep a close eye on Xavi Hernandez, the former captain and manager of Barcelona, as a potential candidate to lead the national team in the future. Following the 2026 World Cup, there are discussions about Xavi possibly training prominent Spanish-born players such as Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz. Xavi has expressed a preference for taking charge of a national team during the summer following the World Cup, rather than stepping in too close to a major international tournament.
As reported by football.fr.
