Despite struggling with an injury, defender Achraf Hakimi has been included in Morocco’s 28-man squad to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) slated to kick off later in December.
On Thursday, coach Walid Regragui named a star-studded squad for the North African nation as they prepare to host the 35th edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in just ten days.
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Hakimi has been out injured since he picked an injury while playing for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. against Bayern Munich in a UEFA Champions League fixture they lost 2-1 on November 4th.
The 2025 Champions League winner is among the biggest stars named by Regragui alongside Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri. In a recent interview, Regragui stressed the importance of having Hakimi in the squad despite the injury.
“We will do everything for him to be 100% against Comores, but if he isn’t, he will be with us no matter what,” Regragui said at a press conference. “He’s the most important player for me, whether on the pitch or in the locker room.”
He added: “Hakimi’s condition is good. He is doing everything required and has shown great commitment. He has not stopped working since his injury. He is a leader, and we hope he will be ready for the first game.”
Morocco will face Comoros in opener
Experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal in Saudi Pro League has also been included and will fight it out for the starting role alongside Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane, Botola Pro), and El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca, Botola Pro).
The defensive area comprises of Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd alongside rising Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who continues his rapid ascent after debuting in November.
Morocco, drawn in Group A, will face Comoros, Mali and Zambia as they begin their quest for continental glory. The Atlas Lions won their sole AFCON title in 1976 in Ethiopia. The closest Morocco have come to conquering Africa since then was in 2004 when they fell 2-1 to hosts Tunisia in the final.
The Atlas Lions’ tournament opener will be against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco squad for AFCON;
Goalkeepers; Yassine Bounou ((Al Hilal, Saudi Pro League), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane, Botola Pro), El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca, Botola Pro).
Defenders; Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids, Egyptian Premier League), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Najma, Saudi Pro League), Romain Saiss (Al Sadd, Qatar), Abdelhamid Ait-Boudlal (Rennes, Ligue 1), Nayef Aguerd (Olympique de Marseille, Ligue 1), Adam Masina (Torino, Serie A), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United, Premier League), Anas Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven, Eredivisie).
Midfielders; Oussama Targhalline (Feyenoord, Eredivisie), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis, LaLiga), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Eredivisie), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma, Serie A), Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart, Bundesliga), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona, LaLiga).
Forwards; Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, LaLiga), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal, LaLiga), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland, Premier League), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce, Super Lig), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos, Super League Greece), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain FC, UAE Pro League), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, LaLiga), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga).
Reserve Players; Youssef Belammari (Raja Casablanca, Botola Pro), Hamza Igamane (Lille, Ligue 1).
