Jorge Vilda dismissed as Morocco women's national team head coach
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced the departure of Jorge Vilda as head coach of the women's national team. French coach Eric Blahic will take charge of the Atlas Lionesses for October's friendlies against Uzbekistan. Vilda leaves the role after guiding Morocco to a place at the 2026 World Cup in Brazil.
Byvarela4 min read
Jorge Vilda is out as head coach of Morocco's senior women's national team. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced his dismissal late on Thursday and, in the same statement, confirmed that French coach Eric Blahic will lead the Atlas Lionesses in the upcoming friendlies against Uzbekistan on 6 and 12 October.
- Jorge Vilda leaves the Morocco job three years after arriving in October 2023.
- French coach Eric Blahic takes over immediately and will manage the team in October's friendlies against Uzbekistan.
- Under Vilda, Morocco finished fourth at the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations and secured a place at the 2026 World Cup in Brazil.
- Before joining Morocco, Vilda was dismissed as Spain head coach and technical director just one month after winning the 2023 World Cup.
Morocco's football federation confirms the coaching change
The Moroccan federation broke the news through an official statement that also announced a new training camp for the women's national team. The coach chosen to replace the Madrid-born manager is Eric Blahic, who will take charge with immediate effect.
Blahic's first test will be the double-header of friendlies against Uzbekistan in October. Those matches mark the beginning of a new chapter for a squad that has cemented its place among the strongest teams on the African continent.
Vilda's legacy in Morocco: fourth place at the Africa Cup of Nations and a World Cup ticket
Jorge Vilda leaves after three seasons in charge of the Moroccan project. His tenure ends with the team established among the elite of African football: at the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations, held in July on Moroccan soil, the side finished fourth after losing to Cameroon in the semi-finals.
That result secured Morocco a place at next summer's World Cup in Brazil. It is a significant achievement for a team that had finished as African runners-up in the two previous editions of the continental tournament and is now preparing to return to the global stage.
From World Cup champion with Spain to a new adventure in Morocco
The Spanish coach arrived in Morocco in October 2023, just one month after being dismissed as head coach and technical director of Spain's women's national team. That departure came amid a major crisis at the Spanish football federation, following the resignation and suspension of Luis Rubiales as president.
With Spain, Vilda reached the summit by winning the first World Cup in the history of Spanish football, claimed at the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. That achievement made him one of the most high-profile coaches in women's international football before he took on the challenge of leading the Atlas Lionesses.
Eric Blahic and Morocco's new cycle on the road to Brazil
Eric Blahic, the new Morocco head coach, takes over with his eyes on the team's continued development. Qualification for Brazil 2026 is already secured, and the Frenchman's mission will be to prepare the squad to compete at a tournament where Morocco hopes to surpass anything achieved so far.
The North African side now faces a change of leadership at a crucial moment, with a World Cup cycle on the horizon and a generation of players that has raised the country's expectations. October's friendlies against Uzbekistan will be the first real test of the new project.
Frequently asked questions about Jorge Vilda's departure
Frequently asked questions
Why is Jorge Vilda no longer Morocco's women's head coach?
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced his dismissal late on Thursday through an official statement. The change comes as Morocco begins a new preparation cycle for the 2026 World Cup in Brazil, though no specific sporting reason was given for his exit.
Who replaces Vilda as Morocco women's national team coach?
French coach Eric Blahic will take charge of the Atlas Lionesses. His first matches will be the October friendlies against Uzbekistan, scheduled for the 6th and 12th.
What did Jorge Vilda achieve with Morocco?
Under his leadership, Morocco finished fourth at the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the 2026 Women's World Cup in Brazil. In the two previous editions of the continental tournament, the team had been African runners-up.
Where was Jorge Vilda before coaching Morocco?
Before joining Morocco, Vilda served as head coach and technical director of Spain's women's national team. With Spain, he won the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the first world title in Spanish football history.