Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui has confirmed the arrival of new players to strengthen his squad as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted in Morocco.
Following a disappointing exit in the Round of 16 at the 2023 AFCON, Regragui’s men have bounced back strongly in the 2025 qualifiers, winning all six matches and scoring 26 goals, the highest total in the campaign.
This resurgence has been fueled by the inclusion of dual nationals, including Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid and Eliesse Ben Seghir of Monaco, who chose to represent Morocco after the team’s impressive run to fourth place at the 2022 World Cup.
The efforts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), led by president Fouzi Lekjaa and supported by King Mohammed VI, have been pivotal in attracting these players.
Despite this success, Regragui remains focused on continuous improvement as Morocco sets its sights on winning the next AFCON on home soil, which will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Speaking to Canal+ during the Talents d’Afrique program, Regragui emphasized that while the team had made significant progress, there were still areas to address.
I wasn’t worried even after the African Cup, I’m not euphoric now.
I know there is work to do, and we are expected to perform,” he said. “After the 2022 World Cup, every match will be more difficult.
We are demanding of ourselves because we have talent.
We know what we are capable of, but we also recognize our flaws. These will be addressed by bringing in a few more players.
Regragui also acknowledged the challenge of managing a squad with increased competition for places, adding,
There will be strong competition, and I will have to know how to manage the locker room.
Among the potential new arrivals are Amine El Ouazzani of Braga, who has been courted by Algeria, and Zakaria El Ouahdi of Genk, who has attracted interest from Belgium.
With the Morocco team continuing to grow in strength and talent, Regragui’s careful approach in integrating new players will be key to maintaining the squad’s momentum as they aim for success in the 2025 AFCON.
