Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has announced a strong 28-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which included injured Hakimi Acraf as the Atlas Lions set to host the continental showpiece in just ten days.
The squad, unveiled on Thursday, features the country’s biggest stars, including Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Despite recently sustaining a serious ankle injury, Hakimi has been included.
Coach Regragui stressing that ” the defender’s leadership and influence remain indispensable even if he misses the early group matches.”
Acraf Hakimi is expected to miss the first two matches or all of the three group stage depending on his recovery rate.
Morocco head into AFCON 2025 under intense pressure as firm favourites, riding on a historic run of 18 consecutive victories.
With the tournament on home soil, expectations are sky-high for the country’s first continental triumph since 1976.
Continuity, Depth and Tactical Balance
Regragui’s final selection maintains the core that reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals and dominated African football over the past two years.
Captain Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd lead the defence, supported by emerging Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who has impressed since making his debut in November.
The full-back positions remain a major strength, with Noussair Mazraoui, Adam Masina and young prospect Anass Salah-Eddine complementing Hakimi.
Morocco’s midfield offers a blend of experience, energy and technical skill. Sofyan Amrabat anchors a group featuring Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui and Oussama Targhalline.
In attack, En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi headline a vibrant forward line supported by Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Brahim Diaz, whose creativity has elevated Morocco’s attacking fluidity since committing to the national team.
Key Omissions and Notable Decisions
Sofiane Diop, involved in Morocco’s November fixtures, is one of the most notable absentees.
Highly rated forward Hamza Igamane—one of the top-performing Moroccan strikers at club level this season—has been named on the reserve list as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.
He is joined by left-back Youssef Belammari, with both eligible for late call-ups.
Moroccans Wants Nothing But Trophy
With AFCON returning to Morocco, public expectation is overwhelming.
Regragui, often scrutinised for his pragmatic style, knows that only winning the title will satisfy supporters as the Atlas Lions aim to lift the trophy in Rabat on January 18.
Morocco, placed in Group A, will face Comoros, Mali and Zambia in their hunt for continental glory.
FULL MOROCCO SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
Munir El Kajoui
Yassine Bounou
El Mehdi Al Harrar
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi
Mohamed Chibi
Jawad El Yamiq
Romain Saïss
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
Nayef Aguerd
Adam Masina
Noussair Mazraoui
Anas Salah-Eddine
Midfielders
Oussama Targhalline
Sofyan Amrabat
Ismael Saibari
Neil El Aynaoui
Bilal El Khannouss
Azzedine Ounahi
Forwards
Brahim Diaz
Ilias Akhomach
Chemsdine Talbi
Youssef En-Nesyri
Ayoub El Kaabi
Soufiane Rahimi
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Eliesse Ben Seghir
Reserve Players
Youssef Belammari
Hamza Igamane
