Following the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui expressed a mixture of confidence and caution, recognizing the competitive nature of his team’s group.
The draw, held at the Mohammed V National Theater in Rabat on Monday, set the stage for the tournament, which will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Morocco, placed in Group A as the host nation, will face tough competition from Mali, Zambia, and Comoros.
Regragui acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly with Mali, which is often seen as a traditional rival in African football.
I think it’s a tough group,” Regragui said, reflecting on the draw.
We know Mali, Zambia, and Comoros well, having faced them in the past.
Mali is like a derby, so it’s going to be a very tough match.
But we must also be cautious of the other teams.
They’re all strong in their own right and full of character, so we’ll need to stay focused.
The Moroccan coach, who led the team to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, expressed confidence despite the difficulty of the group.
Playing on home soil, he is keenly aware of the pressure and the support from Moroccan fans.
We’re playing at home, so there’s a positive pressure from the crowd that will give us the extra push to come out on top in this group,” he said.
As the host nation, Morocco has the advantage of playing in familiar surroundings, which can often provide a motivational boost.
Regragui is no stranger to the high expectations of the Moroccan public, and he fully embraces the challenge of leading his team in front of passionate fans.
During his post-draw comments, the coach added a touch of humor with a spontaneous “Inchallah” (God willing), signaling his belief that, with the right preparation and mindset, Morocco can navigate the challenges of the group and aim for success in the tournament.
CAN 2025 : le #Maroc pas épargné, la Côte d’Ivoire avec le #Cameroun , l’ #Algerie face à ses bourreaux, un groupe de la mort… Le tirage complet #football https://t.co/idkhHJQcav pic.twitter.com/HJbLSgdiJ4
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) January 27, 2025
In agreement with Regragui, Mustapha Hadji, a Moroccan football legend and former player, also spoke about the strength of the opponents.
Mali, Zambia, and Comoros are all tough teams, but Morocco has the talent and support to succeed.
It will require concentration and hard work, but we are confident,” said Hadji.
The draw has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament, with Morocco determined to capitalize on their home advantage.
The teams will meet again in 11 months, when the action kicks off in Morocco.
