Partial revolution in Morocco: renewal and surprises mark the African Cup of Nations squad list
It's official. Morocco now knows the 28 players who will form part of the Moroccan team during the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which will be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
On Thursday, the coach announced the full list, which includes several players who participated in CAN 2023.
However, Walid Regragui has opted for a young team, including players such as Sofyan Amrabat (midfielder for Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona) and Brahim Díaz (forward for Real Madrid), who bring experience and presence in European competitions, and promising players such as Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Ilias Akhomach (attacking midfielder for Villarreal) and Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester City); rather than players such as Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray attacking midfielder), who has been left out for physical reasons, Romain Saïss (defender, currently without a club after leaving Al-Shabab) and other veterans who are not in the coach's final plans for the CAN.
‘We are going to the CAN with a good mentality, without doubts and remaining true to our values,’ said Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui.
To do so, the national team will have to get through the group stage, where they will play matches against Comoros, Mali and Zambia.
28+1 names to be champions
Below is the full list of players selected by Morocco's national coach, Walid Regragui, for the 2025 AFCON, which they will play at home:
- In goal: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Renaissance Berkane) and El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca).
- In defence: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Najma), Romain Saïss (Al-Sadd), Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Amiens SC), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Adam Masina (Torino), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) and Anas Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven).
- In midfield: Oussama Targhalline (Feyenoord), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart) and Azzedine Ounahi (Girona).
- Up front: Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Bayer Leverkusen).
Players to watch and surprises on the list
Some players in the Moroccan squad are shaping up to be key to the team's performance in the tournament:
- Achraf Hakimi: his speed and attacking ability from defence could make the difference. Achraf was the defender with the most attacking interactions last season, with up to one goal or assist every two games during the season.
- Sofyan Amrabat: the driving force in midfield, combining ball recovery and distribution. A key part of Pellegrini's system at Betis, which is becoming increasingly established in Europe.
- Brahim Díaz: with creativity and goals, he brings attacking quality from up front. Since joining the national team, his performances have earned him MVP honours. Great at dribbling in tight spaces, ideal for breaking down defences in short tournaments where the details make the difference.
- Youssef En-Nesyri: a goal-scoring reference and constant threat to opposing defences. The Moroccan striker is known for pinning down opposing centre-backs and relieving high pressure by controlling long balls from the defence.
Morocco's squad selection has also generated debate due to some notable absences:
- Hakim Ziyech is not present for physical reasons, which is a significant loss in attack.
- Romain Saïss, veteran and defensive leader, is also not in the final plans, leaving room for new talent at the back.
