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Morocco's Atlas Lions Gear Up for AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Regragui Unveils Squad with Surprising Changes
Morocco's national football team, the Atlas Lions, is preparing for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers with a fresh lineup. Head coach Walid Regragui announced a 25-man squad for the October international fixtures, revealing some unexpected changes that have caught the attention of football fans across the nation.
The Atlas Lions are set to face the Central African Republic in two crucial matches on October 12 and 15 at the d'Honneur Stadium in Oujda. These games mark the third and fourth rounds of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, a tournament that Morocco will host.
Regragui's selection showcases a mix of established stars and emerging talents. The squad includes familiar names such as Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain and Yassine Bounou, who recently made a move to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. However, the absence of key players Brahim Diaz and Hakim Ziyech due to injuries has opened doors for new faces.
One of the most notable inclusions is Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal from Stade Rennais, who received his first call-up to the national team. The coach also highlighted the potential of young midfielders Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss, expressing confidence in their future contributions to Moroccan football.
The squad breakdown reveals a strong defensive line-up, with players like Nayef Aguerd from Real Sociedad and Noussair Mazraoui from Manchester United. The midfield boasts a blend of experience and youth, while the forward line includes in-form strikers such as Youssef En-Nesyri and Amine Adli.
Despite having already secured their place in AFCON 2025 as hosts, Morocco aims to assert their dominance in Group B, which includes Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Lesotho. The Atlas Lions currently lead the group with 6 points, following impressive victories over Gabon (4-1) and Lesotho (1-0).
The upcoming matches against the Central African Republic are more than just qualifiers for Morocco. They represent an opportunity for the team to fine-tune their tactics and build cohesion ahead of the continental showpiece. With the AFCON scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, these games are crucial in Morocco's preparation to showcase their prowess on home soil.
As the nation eagerly anticipates these matches, all eyes will be on how Regragui's new squad performs. The blend of established stars and emerging talents promises an exciting future for Moroccan football, with the ultimate goal of clinching the AFCON title in front of their home crowd.