Hakimi Returns, Ziyech Excluded: Morocco’s AFCON Squad Unveiled by Regragui

Morocco names a 28-man AFCON squad, with Hakimi back and Ziyech out

Head coach Walid Regragui has unveiled the final roster for Morocco ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, naming 28 players, with two on standby: Youssef Belhamri and Hamza Igaman.

The selection features familiar faces and is led by Achraf Hakimi, who returns from injury, while Hakim Ziyech has been officially omitted and replaced by Shamseddine Talbi of Sunderland.

Here is the squad broken down by position:

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Mehdi Harar, Munir Mohammedi.

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Hakimi, Adam Masina, Anas Salah-Eddine, Mohamed Chaibi, Romain Saiss, Sofiane Krouani, Abdelhamid Ait Bouddal.

Midfielders: Ismail Sibaari, Bilal Khannous, Oussama Targaline, Sofiane Amrabat, Nayel Aynaoui, Azzedine Onahi, Ilias Ben-Sighir.

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Ilias Akhomach, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Shamseddine Talbi, Abde Zalzouli, Sofiane Rahimi.

Reserves: Hamza Igaman, Youssef Belhamri.

In short, Regragui’s selection signals Morocco’s ambition to push deep in the tournament, while also underscoring the team’s depth across all lines. And if you’re keeping score, this squad promises excitement, plus a few dramatic moments that only football can deliver.

Punchline: If football were a playlist, Morocco just hit shuffle on a lineup that could make any group stage feel like a finale. And remember, the only offside you want is the joke that lands at the end of the warmups.