Grasping the Atlas: Morocco’s Bold AFCON 2025 Roadmap is Almost Ready
3 octobre 2025
Grand Plan for AFCON 2025: A Wide Net, A Lean Final Squad
Two and a half months before the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 kicks off in Morocco, Walid Regragui, the Morocco head coach, is racing against time to fine-tune his grand plan to lift the continental trophy.
The blueprint, drawn up with Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, rests on three pillars: a broad pool of players, a carefully staged slate of friendlies, and a month-long training camp at the Mohammed VI Complex.
The 55-Man List and the Road to 26
A broad roster is already in play, with fierce competition among around 55 players across positions. In his latest press conference, Regragui described the dilemma of so many options and the weight of expectations as the Atlas Lions chase success on home soil. He added: "If my promise brings you peace, I can assure the Cup will stay in Morocco, but always with the humility that has marked us in the qualifiers."
The coach decided to follow the same method used during the Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign, starting with a 55-player pool, roughly five per position, with the plan to trim to 26 in the final squad. The selection will be guided by experience, physical readiness, tactical harmony, and the ability to handle pressure.
His assistants will provide periodic reports on players' performances with their clubs, supported by precise statistics, to ease decision-making and ensure a capable group leads the AFCON charge.
Friendlies, Camps, and Risk Management
African friendlies feature prominently as a tune-up for the tournament. After facing Bahrain later this month, Regragui aims to secure strong tests against African nations in the November window to mirror the opponents and tempo of the group stage.
He explained that the team would ideally face Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, but those options are not easy due to commitments. Attempts with Uzbekistan, Japan, and South Korea were explored, but travel logistics proved impractical. Bahrain was chosen, with Africa again the likely destination next.
Lekjaa stressed that the preparatory phase must be realistic and aligned with tournament conditions, avoiding European or Latin American matchups. The plan includes two friendlies in November plus three more closed-door matches at the Mohammed VI complex before the CAN starts.
Because the Atlas Lions will base their group-stage games in Rabat, the federation informed CAF that the official camp will be at the Mohammed VI complex, a home away from home and the centerpiece of the team’s preparations. Regragui underlined that the camp is not a mere training stop but a chance to deepen cohesion and tactical understanding, while early talks with European clubs aim to secure player availability when needed.
Hakimi, the captain, and Mohamed Shibi faced particular cautions: Hakimi will not play in a forthcoming final with PSG to spare fatigue ahead of the CAN, and Shibi's involvement is similarly weighed against the schedule. Whatever the case, players will be required to join the camp at least two weeks before kickoff, in line with CAF and FIFA rules.
The dream remains bold: to lift the AFCON title on home soil. After the Qatar World Cup push, the task is to repeat a historic run with the Atlas Lions. Yet Regragui warns that success hinges on humility, discipline, and a concrete plan translating into performance on the pitch.
Punchlines: If the CAN stays in Morocco, we’ll rename the trophy the Golden Couscous Cup. If Regragui nails this plan, my coffee habit will finally respect the calendar—and probably so will my jokes.
