Walid Regragui and Morocco carry legitimate ambition for home AFCON 2025 amid intense pressure | OneFootball

Morocco, champions in 1976 for their only continental crown, will host AFCON 2025 from 21 December to 18 January with expectations to win at home.

According to L'Équipe, the fervour is total, even King Mohammed VI briefly joined Rabat street celebrations after the World Cup win over Spain, 0-0 then 3-0 on penalties.

Heavy investment has upgraded facilities and stadiums, notably Ibn Batouta in Tangier rebuilt for €340 million, a showcase for this tournament.

Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa said in July that Morocco have led Africa for more than two years, ranked 12th globally, 11th in December. With captain Achraf Hakimi and a gifted squad, he called winning this CAN a legitimate, prepared ambition.

Walid Regragui, appointed in autumn 2022 to calm a fractured dressing room, built a compact, transition threat in Qatar. Former defender Abdeslam Ouaddou expects the home crowd to demand more attacking play and for Morocco to accept favourite status.

Results sustain belief, eight wins from eight in 2026 World Cup qualifying and a world record 18 straight victories, sealed in November by beating Mozambique 1-0 and Uganda 4-0.

Ouaddou is eager to see Brahim Diaz, 26, now central to Regragui’s plan despite limited Real Madrid minutes, against powerful sides such as Nigeria. Depth is strong, though Hamza Igamane’s right adductor issue leaves him on standby and worries linger over Hakimi’s left ankle and Nayef Aguerd’s pubalgia, in a defence long led by figures like Noureddine Naybet, Talal El Karkouri and Medhi Benatia.

Source: L'Équipe