AFCON 2025: Atlas Lions’ team Guide
Today, Sunday, December 21, 2025, Morocco embarks on its 20th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations as the host nation kicks off the tournament at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Despite being one of the continent’s most decorated footballing cultures, the Atlas Lions are on a quest to end a nearly 50-year drought, having only secured the trophy once in 1976.
This milestone appearance carries the weight of a nation that recently became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final, and anything less than a deep run on home soil will be seen as a disappointment for the current top-ranked team in Africa.
A Dominant Path to the Finals
While Morocco qualified automatically as hosts, Walid Regragui’s men treated the qualification phase as a ruthless statement of intent. Competing in Group B, the Atlas Lions delivered the most dominant qualifying campaign in the tournament’s history, finishing with a perfect record of six wins from six matches.
The team’s offensive output was staggering, netting 26 goals while conceding just twice. The journey was punctuated by record-breaking scorelines, including a 5–0 dismantling of the Central African Republic and a historic 7–0 victory over Lesotho in the final matchday. This clinical run cemented Morocco’s status as the team to beat, proving they could dismantle deep-lying defenses with both flair and efficiency.
Star Players and Game Changers
Morocco’s squad is headlined by a blend of Champions League pedigree and emerging talent, most notably Brahim Díaz. The Real Madrid player has quickly become the crown jewel of the Atlas Lions, finishing the AFCON qualifying rounds as the overall top scorer with 7 goals.
The midfield is anchored by Azzedine Ounahi, whose ability to retain possession under pressure is vital for the team’s transition play, while Yassine Bounou remains one of the world’s most reliable shot-stoppers. A significant boost for the hosts is the return of captain Achraf Hakimi; despite a recent injury scare that kept him sidelined for weeks, he has been cleared to lead the side today. In the final third, Regragui has the luxury of choosing between the physical presence of Youssef En-Nesyri and the clinical form of Ayoub El Kaabi, who has been prolific in European competition this year. Comoros will look to their talisman, Youssouf M’Changama, to provide the leadership and set-piece specialty required to pull off a historic upset.
Tournament Significance and Group A Dynamics
The importance of this opening match is heightened by the presence of Mali and Zambia in Group A, making it one of the most competitive pools in the tournament. For Morocco, playing in front of a home crowd in Rabat, a convincing victory is necessary to manage the immense public expectations and secure a path toward the knockout stages without needing a result in the final group game.
Coaching profile
Regragui is widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in African history, primarily for leading Morocco to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup—the first time an African nation.
Regragui is known for a pragmatic and highly disciplined tactical approach. During the 2022 World Cup, he gained fame for a “low block” defense that was nearly impossible to score against, relying on a compact 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation. His strategy emphasizes: defensive Solidity, keeping the team narrow and deep to frustrate opponents, coupled with quick Transitions.
