Walid Regragui unveils final push in Morocco’s quest for AFCON glory

With just over two months to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Atlas Lions head coach Walid Regragui is fine-tuning a comprehensive plan aimed at delivering the continental crown on home soil.

Working closely with Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Regragui has mapped out preparations along three key pillars: a broadened player pool, high-stakes friendly matches, and an intensive training camp at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Complex.

55 Players Fighting for 26 Spots

Regragui has opted to follow the same model that propelled Morocco to a historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. An initial list of 55 players—five per position—has been drawn up, with the squad set to be trimmed down to 26 based on form, fitness, and tactical suitability.

“The abundance of talent is both a blessing and a challenge,” Regragui admitted. “But what I can promise is that, God willing, the trophy will stay in Morocco—always with the humility that guided us in the qualifiers.”

To support the selection process, his technical staff will monitor players across Europe and beyond, filing detailed reports backed by performance data.

Strategic Friendlies to Mirror AFCON Opposition

After taking on Bahrain this month, Morocco is seeking opponents who reflect the styles of their AFCON group rivals. Talks with Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria proved difficult due to scheduling conflicts, while options in Asia were ruled out over travel concerns.

Instead, Regragui has confirmed November friendlies against African sides, supplemented by three closed-door matches at the Mohammed VI Complex just before the tournament. Lekjaa has reinforced that preparation must remain “realistic and aligned with the demands of African competition,” ruling out glamour fixtures against European or South American teams.

A Month-Long Camp and Early Talks with Clubs

The FRMF has already notified CAF that Morocco’s official camp will be based at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat, the hub of the national team. Regragui sees the camp as vital for building tactical cohesion and team spirit.

To ensure maximum availability, the federation has opened early negotiations with European clubs to secure player releases, capitalizing on its strong relationships across the continent.

Hakimi and El-Sheeb to Skip Club Finals

One sensitive issue has been star defender Achraf Hakimi, who is scheduled to feature in Paris Saint-Germain’s Confederations Cup final on December 17—just three days before Morocco’s AFCON opener.

In a decisive move, the FRMF has ruled Hakimi out of that match to protect him from fatigue and injury. A similar decision applies to Mohamed El-Sheeb of Pyramids FC, should his club reach the Confederations Cup latter stages. All players will be required to report to camp two weeks ahead of the tournament in line with CAF and FIFA rules.

Beyond Hosting: Morocco’s Bold Ambition

Morocco is not simply preparing to host Africa’s flagship tournament—it is determined to win it. Regragui, whose side captured the imagination of the world in Qatar, is under pressure to deliver the Atlas Lions’ first continental title since 1976.

“This is a historic challenge,” he reflected. “Our success will depend on humility, discipline, and the players’ ability to turn our plans into results.”

For Moroccan fans, the dream is clear: to see the Lions crowned champions on home soil and to etch a new chapter in the nation’s footballing history.