AFCON 2025: All you need to know about Morocco
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All original articlesConsidered the main favorite at home, Morocco will have to deal with popular pressure and fierce adversity. Did you know that Morocco has only ever won the AFCON once?. Despite the quality of his squad, Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui knows that Africa has not always succumbed to the Moroccans. The endless scarcity, the golden generation, the series of victories, here is everything you need to know about the selection of Morocco.
The country
Capital: Rabat
Area: 446,550 km2
Population: 36,157,337
Official language: Arabic and Amazigh
Inhabitants: Moroccans / Moroccan women
Motto: God, the Homeland, the King
Team nickname: The Atlas Lions
Morocco and the AFCON
Title: 1
Final: 2
Participations before AFCON 2025: 19
Host country: 1988 - 2025
Course at the AFCON
1972: eliminated in the first round
1976: champion
1978: eliminated in the first round
1980: 3rd place
1986: semi-final
1988: semi-final
1992: eliminated in the first round
1998: eliminated in 1⁄4 of the final
2000: eliminated in the first round
2002: eliminated in the first round
2004: finalist
2006: eliminated in the first round
2008: eliminated in the first round
2012: eliminated in the first round
2013: eliminated in the 1st round
2015: disqualified
2017: eliminated in 1⁄4 of the final
2019: eliminated in 1⁄8 of the final
2021: eliminated in 1⁄4 of final
2023: eliminated in 1⁄8 of the final
Assessment at the AFCON
73 matches played
29 victories
25 draws
19 defeats
88 goals scored
66 goals conceded
Achraf Hakimi, the guide
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Hailed with the title of African Player of the Year 2025 a few weeks ago, Achraf Hakimi is the major concern for the Morocco team. Seriously injured on November 4th during PSG’s 0-1 loss against Bayern, the right-back had for a time been announced forfeit for the Africa Cup of Nations. More fear than harm in the end since the former Inter player will make the trip with a physiotherapist from the Parisian club. Author of a 2024-2025 XXL season, Hakimi will be the guide for the Atlas Lions.
The one who is today considered as the best right back in the world will bring his offensive qualities but especially his new dimension on the defensive plan. When we know that attacks win matches but defenses win tournaments, this deal is not negligible in a competition as demanding as the AFCON. Hakimi will however be able to count on a generation of dreams with great talent players such as Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid, Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), the goalkeeper of Al Hilal Yassine Bounou or even Abde Ezzalzouli.
End a half-century of scarcity
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African champion in 1976 in Ethiopia with the generation of Ahmed Faras, Morocco has still not managed to regain the continental throne. The beginning of the 3rd millennium did not really smile on the Atlas Lions with a defeat in the final in 2004 but above all 6 eliminations in the first round of the African football grand mass. Grand favorite during the last edition held in Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco could not confirm their remarkable journey at the 2022 World Cup and was humbled in the 1⁄8 final by South Africa.
For this recovery operation, the host country will rely on its technician Walid Regragui. The 50-year-old coach is today a reference in the profession on the continent after his brilliant results at the last world cup in Qatar. His tactical science and management will be undeniable assets for this beautiful but young generation of Atlas Lions. The rejuvenation initiated by the former international defender is not necessarily a handicap but will be severely tested by high expectations for a home tournament.
Will the 12th man be an asset or a weight? Answer from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.