Morocco targets two African powerhouses in final AFCON 2025 preparations

Morocco’s national team is prioritizing African opposition over European sides in the lead-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with coach Walid Regragui aiming to test his squad against two heavyweight teams from the continent.

The tournament is set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

A source within the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed to Le Site Info that several European federations had approached the Atlas Lions to arrange friendly matches during the November international window.

However, Regragui has declined these offers, preferring to use the final FIFA-sanctioned dates before AFCON to engage in competitive fixtures against African sides.

“The national coach prefers to take advantage of the last two official dates to challenge African teams before the start of AFCON,” the source stated.

The FIFA international calendar schedules these matches between November 10 and 18, roughly one month before the tournament kicks off.

In preparation, the FRMF has entered discussions with several prominent African footballing nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe.

Regragui is particularly keen on securing at least one high-profile matchup against a top-tier African team to provide his squad with a rigorous test ahead of the continental competition.

Morocco’s approach reflects a strategic emphasis on familiar opposition and competitive intensity.

By facing teams from Africa, the Atlas Lions can simulate the physicality, tactical nuances, and environmental conditions they are likely to encounter during AFCON.

Such preparation is deemed more valuable than friendlies against European sides, which might offer less direct relevance to the tournament’s challenges.

Ahead of these planned November fixtures, Morocco will maintain a steady schedule of matches.

In October, the Atlas Lions are set to play Bahrain in Rabat in a friendly, followed by their final 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Congo.

These games are designed to help Regragui fine-tune his tactical setup, assess player form, and build cohesion within the squad.

The Atlas Lions, under Regragui’s leadership, have shown consistent progress in recent years, blending youth and experience across the squad.

Securing competitive friendlies against Africa’s elite will allow Morocco to gauge the team’s readiness, identify areas for improvement, and enter AFCON 2025 with confidence.

With the tournament drawing near, the federation’s focus is clear: maximize preparation by arranging matches that will challenge Morocco’s players and simulate the intensity of the Africa Cup of Nations.

While European interest in hosting friendlies remains, the national team’s priority is to engage opponents who reflect the style and quality they will face in Morocco come December.

The coming weeks will be crucial as negotiations continue with targeted African nations, ensuring that Morocco’s final preparatory matches provide the ideal platform for the Atlas Lions to sharpen their performance and competitive edge ahead of AFCON 2025.