Morocco AFCON 2025 Preview: Atlas Lions’ Quest for Glory on Home Soil
Morocco, the host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is set to compete with high hopes and immense pressure. After reaching the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup, they are seen as favorites to win the tournament. Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco's squad, which features elite talents like Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz, aims for their first continental victory since 1976. Despite challenges, including a history of early exits, Morocco's dominant qualifiers suggest they are ready to excel on home soil.
- Morocco host AFCON 2025, seeking their second title since 1976
- Atlas Lions are favorites due to their strong World Cup 2022 performance
- Key players include Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz
As the host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco enters the tournament with the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Following their historic semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions are not just participants; they are the overwhelming favorites.
Under the guidance of Walid Regragui, and boasting a squad filled with elite talent, Morocco is buzzing with one singular ambition: to lift their second continental title and first since 1976.
Africa Cup of Nations History - A Giant Awakening
Despite being a powerhouse in African football, Morocco's history in the Africa Cup of Nations is surprisingly modest. Their sole triumph came in 1976 in Ethiopia, where the winner was decided by a group stage.
Since then, they have reached the final only once, in 2004, losing to hosts Tunisia. Recent years have seen consistent qualification but frustration in the knockout stages, often exiting earlier than their talent suggests.
| Year | Host Country | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Sudan | Did not enter |
| 1959 | Egypt | Did not enter |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Withdrew |
| 1963 | Ghana | Did not qualify |
| 1965 | Tunisia | Did not enter |
| 1968 | Ethiopia | Did not qualify |
| 1970 | Sudan | Did not qualify |
| 1972 | Cameroon | Group Stage |
| 1974 | Egypt | Did not qualify |
| 1976 | Ethiopia | Champions |
| 1978 | Ghana | Group Stage |
| 1980 | Nigeria | 3rd Place |
| 1982 | Libya | Did not qualify |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Did not qualify |
| 1986 | Egypt | 4th Place |
| 1988 | Morocco | 4th Place |
| 1990 | Algeria | Did not qualify |
| 1992 | Senegal | Group Stage |
| 1994 | Tunisia | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | South Africa | Did not qualify |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Quarter-finals |
| 2000 | Ghana/Nigeria | Group Stage |
| 2002 | Mali | Group Stage |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Runners-up |
| 2006 | Egypt | Group Stage |
| 2008 | Ghana | Group Stage |
| 2010 | Angola | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | Eq. Guinea/Gabon | Group Stage |
| 2013 | South Africa | Group Stage |
| 2015 | Eq. Guinea | Disqualified |
| 2017 | Gabon | Quarter-finals |
| 2019 | Egypt | Round of 16 |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Quarter-finals |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Round of 16 |
Road to AFCON 2025
Although qualifying automatically as hosts, Morocco participated in Group B to maintain competitive rhythm. They were imperious, treating the qualification campaign as a statement of intent.
They finished with a perfect record, winning all six matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding just two. The integration of Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) was the highlight, with the playmaker scoring 7 goals during the campaign.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | Ga | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 24 | 18 |
| 2 | Gabon | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 10 |
| 3 | Lesotho | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 4 |
| 4 | Central African Republic | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 14 | -11 | 3 |
The Manager - Walid Regragui
Walid Regragui is already a national hero. Appointed just months before the 2022 World Cup, he orchestrated the most successful African campaign in World Cup history, guiding Morocco to the semi-finals.
Regragui is a tactical pragmatist who builds his teams on defensive solidity and rapid transitions. However, for AFCON 2025, his challenge is different.
As hosts and favorites, Morocco will face low blocks and defensive opponents. Regragui has evolved his style in the qualifiers to be more possession-dominant, utilizing the creative flair of Brahim Diaz and the overlapping runs of Hakimi to break down stubborn defenses.
His man-management skills are elite, often referring to the squad as a "family," an atmosphere he deems crucial for tournament success.
Morocco AFCON 2025 Squad
Walid Regragui has named a star-studded 26-man squad. The big news is the inclusion of PSG star Achraf Hakimi, who was a doubt due to an ankle injury sustained in the Champions League.
The list sees the inclusion of youngsters Abdelhamid Ai Boudlal and Chemsdine Talbi, alongside returning veterans Jawad El Yamiq and Adam Masina.
| Pos | Player | DOB (Age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Yassine Bounou | 5 April 1991 (age 34) | 80 | 0 | Al-Hilal (KSA) |
| GK | Munir El Kajoui | 10 May 1989 (age 36) | 50 | 0 | RS Berkane (MAR) |
| GK | El Mehdi Al Harrar | 12 March 2000 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Raja Casablanca (MAR) |
| DF | Achraf Hakimi | 4 November 1998 (age 27) | 88 | 11 | Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) |
| DF | Noussair Mazraoui | 14 November 1997 (age 28) | 35 | 2 | Manchester United (ENG) |
| DF | Nayef Aguerd | 30 March 1996 (age 29) | 57 | 2 | Marseille (FRA) |
| DF | Romain Saiss | 26 March 1990 (age 35) | 85 | 3 | Al-Sadd (QAT) |
| DF | Jawad El Yamiq | 29 February 1992 (33) | 27 | 3 | Al-Wehda (KSA) |
| DF | Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal | 16 March 2006 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Rennes (FRA) |
| DF | Adam Masina | 2 January 1994 (age 31) | 23 | 0 | Torino (ITA) |
| DF | Anass Salah-Eddine | 18 January 2002 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | PSV Eindhoven (NED) |
| DF | Mohamed Chibi | 21 January 1993 (age 32) | 9 | 1 | Pyramids (EGY) |
| MF | Sofyan Amrabat | 21 August 1996 (age 29) | 70 | 0 | Real Betis (ESP) |
| MF | Azzedine Ounahi | 19 April 2000 (age 25) | 43 | 9 | Girona (ESP) |
| MF | Bilal El Khannouss | 10 May 2004 (age 21) | 26 | 2 | Stuttgart (GER) |
| MF | Ismael Saibari | 28 January 2001 (age 24) | 19 | 6 | PSV Eindhoven (NED) |
| MF | Neil El Aynaoui | 2 July 2001 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | Roma (ITA) |
| MF | Oussama Targhalline | 20 May 2002 (age 23) | 7 | 0 | Feyenoord (NED) |
| FW | Brahim Diaz | 3 August 1999 (age 26) | 15 | 8 | Real Madrid (ESP) |
| FW | Youssef En-Nesyri | 1 June 1997 (age 28) | 85 | 25 | Fenerbahce (TUR) |
| FW | Ayoub El Kaabi | 25 June 1993 (age 32) | 47 | 17 | Olympiacos (GRE) |
| FW | Soufiane Rahimi | 2 June 1996 (age 29) | 20 | 5 | Al Ain (UAE) |
| FW | Abdessamad Ezzalzouli | 17 December 2001 (age 24) | 26 | 2 | Real Betis (ESP) |
| FW | Ilias Akhomach | 16 April 2004 (age 21) | 10 | 0 | Villarreal (ESP) |
| FW | Eliesse Ben Seghir | 16 February 2005 (age 20) | 16 | 3 | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) |
| FW | Chemsdine Talbi | 9 May 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Sunderland (ENG) |
Fixtures - All Three Games in Rabat
Morocco headlines Group A and will play all of their matches in Rabat. The opener against Comoros will be a sell-out.
| Day | Date | Time (CET) | Fixture | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Dec 21, 2025 | 20:00 | Morocco vs Comoros | Prince Moulay Abdellah | Rabat |
| Friday | Dec 26, 2025 | 20:00 | Morocco vs Mali | Prince Moulay Abdellah | Rabat |
| Monday | Dec 29, 2025 | 19:00 | Morocco vs Zambia | Prince Moulay Abdellah | Rabat |
Prediction - Winners
It is difficult to look past Morocco. They possess the strongest squad depth in Africa, home advantage, and a manager who knows how to navigate tournament football.
Scoring 26 goals in the qualifying campaign suggests they have the firepower to go deep in the tournament. While the pressure of being hosts can be heavy, this Moroccan team has the experience of a World Cup semi-final to lean on.
A potential final against Senegal or Egypt looks likely, but on current form, Morocco are deserved favourites.
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 3.80 |
| Egypt | 6.80 |
| Algeria | 7.10 |
| Senegal | 7.30 |
| Nigeria | 11.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 13.00 |
| Tunisia | 13.00 |
| Mali | 13.00 |
| Cameroon | 19.00 |
| South Africa | 41.00 |
| DR Congo | 51.00 |
| Angola | 69.00 |
| Burkina Faso | 83.00 |
| Zambia | 83.00 |
| Gabon | 83.00 |
| Mozambique | 101.00 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 101.00 |
| Benin | 101.00 |
| Sudan | 101.00 |
| Comoros | 151.00 |
| Tanzania | 151.00 |
| Uganda | 201.00 |
| Zimbabwe | 351.00 |
| Botswana | 501.00 |
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