Yassir Zabiri determined to lead Morocco’s attack at next AFCON

Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri has set his sights on becoming a leading figure in the Atlas Lions’ attack ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The 21-year-old is determined to establish himself among head coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s attacking options as he continues to impress with his performances for Spanish side Racing Santander.

Speaking in an interview with DAZN France, Zabiri expressed his determination to maintain his progress and earn the confidence of the national team coach.

“I work throughout the year, and I hope we can continue in the same way. We will keep working so that the team earns the coach’s confidence, as he is the one who makes the decisions,” Zabiri said.

Zabiri describes Morocco call-up as childhood dream

The former Mohammed VI Football Academy graduate also spoke about the significance of representing Morocco, describing his involvement with the senior national team as the realisation of a lifelong ambition.

“Wearing the Moroccan shirt is an honor for me and my entire family. It was a dream I had since childhood. Now we are enjoying these moments, and we will see what happens next,” he added.

Beyond securing a regular place in Ouahbi’s squad, Zabiri is hoping to help Morocco achieve success at the 2027 AFCON.

The young striker wants to go as far as possible in the competition and ultimately lift the continental trophy with the Atlas Lions.

Impressive start to life in Spanish football

Zabiri’s ambitions come amid an impressive start to his spell in Spain, where he is playing for Racing Santander on loan from French club Stade Rennais.

The Moroccan forward has scored eight goals in his first ten La Liga appearances, placing him third on the competition’s scoring list behind Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

His performances have strengthened his position among Morocco’s promising attacking options ahead of the next continental tournament.

Zabiri previously played a key role in Morocco’s historic FIFA U20 World Cup triumph in Chile in 2025, scoring twice in the final against Argentina.

His continued development in Spain could further strengthen his case for a prominent role in the Atlas Lions’ attack as they prepare for the 2027 AFCON.