Walid Regragui published a list of 28 players on Thursday, December 11, based on “objective criteria” for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to be held in Morocco.
The Atlas Lions coach, stated that the selection of the 28 players for the national team “is based on
objective criteria” for the 2025 AFCON.
“The staff’s choices take into account strictly objective criteria,” namely team cohesion, mastery of
the playing system, dressing room dynamics, and the demands of top-level competition, while also considering “current form,” Regragui said in a statement published Thursday evening on the social media accounts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
In his selection, the national coach confirmed his key players, including Achraf Hakimi (PSG, France), the 2025 African Player of the Year, as well as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia).
In defense, Romain Saïss (Al Sadd, Qatar), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille, France), and the young Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Rennes, France) will lead the back line.
The flanks remain solid with Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United, England) and Adam Masina (Torino, Italy), alongside Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands).
In midfield, Regragui is counting on the dynamism of Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart, Germany), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona, Spain), and Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis, Spain).
The attack consists of Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe, Turkey) and Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos, Greece), supported by Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, Spain) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
Sofiane Diop was not selected, while Hamza Igamane (Lille, France) and Youssef Belammari (Raja, Morocco) are among the reserves.
“This selection is the result of a process of reflection carried out over the past year and a half,” explained the national coach, noting that “there is no such thing as an ideal squad.” R
egarding Hamza Igamane, Walid Regragui acknowledged the “calculated risk” of including him on the reserve list alongside Youssef Belammari, believing that “the length of his absence could improve.”
Belammari, for his part, will remain with his club and “can be called up if necessary,” he said. Walid Regragui felt compelled to justify the unusual absence of a press conference to announce the squad.
“It’s a personal decision.” “The main thing at this stage is to finalise the squad and immediately focus on the training camp scheduled for the coming days,” he stated, expressing his hope that the team would be able to achieve a successful run and win the continental title.
Morocco in Group A with Comoros, Mali, and Zambia, have the ambition of lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18, 2026.
Africa’s number 1 rankedteam will begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on December 21, 2025, against Comoros at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions will then face Mali on December 26 at 9:00 PM before concluding the group stage against Zambia on December 29.
AK/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA