A video showing former Morocco manager Walid Regragui alongside Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in Paris has prompted speculation about the Moroccan coach’s next move.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, appears to show Regragui and the Emir of Qatar together inside a cafe in the French capital. The sighting attracted particular attention because Regragui is not currently tied to a coaching position.
Some supporters and social media users quickly interpreted the meeting as a possible sign that Regragui could be considered for a role in Qatar. The speculation has included the prospect of him taking charge of the Qatar national team or accepting another technical position within the country’s football structure.
There has, however, been no official confirmation from either side that the Paris meeting was connected to a coaching vacancy, negotiations or a joint sporting project.
The rumours come as Qatar’s national team faces a period of reassessment. Qatar failed to progress beyond the group stage at both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, a record that may encourage officials to consider changes and alternative options within the coaching set-up.
The team is currently managed by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, whose contract with the Qatar national team runs until February 2027. That agreement means any potential change would require a decision from the relevant authorities, while no indication has been given that such a move is under consideration.
Regragui’s appearance with Sheikh Tamim has therefore generated interest largely because of the timing and the absence of a current coaching appointment, rather than because of any confirmed announcement. The video itself does not establish that discussions about Qatar’s national team took place.
It is also possible that the meeting was entirely private and unrelated to Regragui’s professional future. No details have been released about the reason for the gathering, and neither Regragui nor the Qatari authorities has publicly linked it to a footballing project.
For now, the Paris encounter remains the subject of speculation. Regragui’s next coaching destination has not been announced, while Lopetegui remains under contract with Qatar until February 2027.
