CAN-2025 Qualifiers: Morocco’s Head Coach Unveils 26-Man Squad

Morocco’s football head coach, Walid Regragui, selected 26 players for the two upcoming matches against Gabon in Franceville on November 15 and Lesotho at Oujda’s Honor Stadium on November 18, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said on Thursday.

These two matches are part of the 5th and 6th Group B qualifiers fixtures for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

According to the same source, the national head coach will hold a press conference next Tuesday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé at 6:00 pm (local time), followed by a training session open to the press for the first 15 minutes.

Here follows the list of players called up:

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal/Saudi Arabia), Mounir El Kajoui (Renaissance Berkane), Salaheddine Chihab (Maghreb Fès), Ayoub El Khayati (AS FAR)

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United/England), Abdelkabir Abkar (Alaves/Spain), Jamal Harkas (Wydad Casablanca), Nayef Aguerd (Real Sociedad/Spain), Adam Massina (Torino/Italy), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich/Germany), Yahya Attiyat-Allah (Al Ahly/Egypt)

Midfielders: Sofiane Amrabat (Fenerbahçe/Turkey), Amir Richardson (Fiorentina/Italy), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco/France), Oussama Targhaline (Le Havre/France), Azzeddine Ounahi (Panathinaïkos/Greece), Bilal El Khanous (Leicester City/England), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands).

Forwards: Ilyas Akhomach (Villarreal/Spain), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid/Spain), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Aïn/United Arab Emirates), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos/Greece), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe/Turkey), Osame Sahraoui (Lille/France), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Betis/Spain).

Real Madrid’s Moroccan star Brahim Díaz said that “he dreams of writing history with the national team and bringing joy to Moroccan fans.”

” I’m very proud to wear Morocco’s national team jersey. I’m grateful to Morocco and the entire African continent for all the love and warm welcome I’ve received,” Brahim Díaz told MAP in an exclusive interview at the Valdebebas training center in Madrid.

The former AC Milan player voiced his pride to play for the Moroccan national team which is steadily soaring towards a very bright future.

The Atlas Lions’ No.10 also raved about joining the national team which has gone smoothly,” thanks to the love and warm welcome of everyone. I’ve always felt part of this big family.” 

He pledged to do his utmost to contribute to the Atlas Lions’ success and make the Moroccan public happy.

In addition, the former Manchester City player stated that Moroccan football never ceased to honor the national colors across generations. 

“The current team is no exception,” he affirmed, noting that the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games’ achievements demonstrate, in all respects, all the work accomplished and serve as a source of pride for all Moroccans. 

Brahim Díaz also highlighted the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s efforts which, thanks to the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI, is fully committed to the rise of national football, the development of sports infrastructure and the support of national teams.

He also thanked the Moroccan public for all their love and unconditional support, especially in times of injury.

“The welcome I’ve received in Oujda will remain one of the most precious moments in my career,” concluded Real Madrid’s Moroccan star.

Morocco’s football national team moved up one place to 13th in the world rankings published by FIFA on Thursday.

With 1,681.57 points, the Atlas Lions remain the top African team, ahead of Senegal in 20th place with 1,627.13 points.

The national team also remains the first Arab team, ahead of Egypt, 30th, with 1526.25 points.

Argentina remains at the top of the FIFA rankings, followed by France and Spain.

Top 10 :

1. Argentina

2. France

3. Spain

4. England

5. Brazil

6. Belgium

7. Portugal

8. Netherlands

9. Italy

10. Colombia

Morocco’s national football team proved to be heavy guests on Tuesday for their host, Central African Republic’s national team, in the 4th day of group B of the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Morocco’s young prodigy, Eliesse Ben Seghir, opened the scoring in the 34th minute and added another to his tally in the 37th, before Youssef En-Nesyri (50’, p.) and  Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (65’) sealed the host’s fate, making it a 4-0 rout. 

In the same group, Gabon bested Lesotho 2-0.

Following these fixtures, Morocco lead group B with 12 points, followed by Gabon who managed to earn 7 points. The Central African Republic is placed 3rd with 3 points, while Lesotho fall last with a single point.

The Moroccan national football team comfortably beat their Central African counterpart in a 5 to null thrashing on Saturday at Oujda’s Honor Stadium, in the 3rd day of Group B of the African qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (18’), Azzeddine Ounahi (38’, 45 ‘+2), Achraf Hakimi (45’) and Soufiane Rahimi (pen. 71’) signed their names on the scoresheet in this demolition job.

The Atlas Lions, who have already qualified for the 2025 AFCON finals as hosts, consolidated their position at the top of Group B with 9 points after wins over Gabon (4-1) and Lesotho (1-0) on the first two matchdays.

Morocco’s national football coach, Walid Regragui, has announced the 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Central African Republic. The matches are set to take place on October 12 and 15 at the Stade d’Honneur in Oujda, as part of the qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON, which Morocco will host.

Although Morocco has already secured its place in the 2025 AFCON as the host nation, the team is competing in Group B alongside Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Lesotho. The Atlas Lions have made an impressive start to the qualifiers, defeating Gabon 4-1 and Lesotho 1-0 in their first two matches.

Goalkeepers:

– Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane)

– Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia)

– Salaheddine Chihab (Maghreb of Fez)

Defenders:

– Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

– Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids, Egypt)

– Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United, England)

– Abdelkabir Abqar (Deportivo Alavés, Spain)

– Nayef Aguerd (Real Sociedad, Spain)

– Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich, Germany)

– Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Stade Rennais, France)

– Jamal Harkass (Wydad Casablanca)

Midfielders:

– Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahçe, Türkiye)

– Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)

– Bilal El Khannous (Leicester City, England)

– Oussama Targhaline (Le Havre, France)

– Azzeddine Ounahi (Panathinaikos, Greece)

– Reda Belahyane (Hellas Verona, Italy)

Forwards:

– Ilias Akhomach (Villareal CF, Spain)

– Amine Adli (Leverkusen, Germany)

– Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain, UAE)

– Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos, Greece)

– Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe, Türkiye)

– Iliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco, France)

– Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, Spain)

– Osame Sahraoui (Lille, France)