AFCON is a beautiful tournament, says Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui

Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui has expressed his admiration for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), calling it a unique and “beautiful tournament” as his country prepares to host the 2025 edition.

The Manchester United defender, who missed part of the last AFCON through injury, underlined the pride that comes with wearing national colours on home soil.

“It’s a beautiful tournament, beautiful to play in, because it’s your continent,” Mazraoui told The National. “I think every player wants to represent his country on his continent. It’s more emotional, more raw.”

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the timing of the competition, which often stirs debate in Europe as clubs lose key players mid-season, but argued that those very differences give AFCON its character.

“It’s different in the sense that the pitches, the circumstances, the weather, and all these things are not what you are used to in Europe. But that’s the challenge, and that’s what makes it special,” he added.

With Morocco boasting one of the strongest squads on the continent, expectations will be high when the 24-team tournament kicks off on December 21, 2025. Matches will be staged across six cities, Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir, in nine state-of-the-art stadiums.

The Atlas Lions have been drawn into Group A alongside Mali, Comoros, and Zambia. Mazraoui, determined to remain injury-free this time, is eager to play his part in leading Morocco’s campaign on home soil.