Morocco have opted to include sidelined skipper Achraf Hakimi in their 26-player list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, confirmed on Thursday.
Morocco have opted to include sidelined skipper Achraf Hakimi in their 26-player list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, confirmed on Thursday.
The 27-year-old defender damaged his ankle after a foul while representing Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich in last month’s Champions League fixture.
Head coach Walid Regragui, speaking in Washington following the 2026 World Cup draw, expressed optimism that Hakimi could return in time for the opening contest with the Comoros.
Morocco, hosting this edition of the continental event, begins their campaign on 21 December in Rabat.
Regragui stressed that the recently crowned 2025 African footballer of the year continues to improve and highlighted Hakimi’s determination to join the group as their key figure.
The Atlas Lions have been placed in Group A alongside the Comoros, Mali, and Zambia, with the top two advancing automatically and four of the six third-placed sides also progressing.
A number of familiar names feature in the squad, including Yassine Bounou, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Morocco will attempt to secure a second continental crown, having finished on top during the 1976 tournament in Ethiopia, which was played in a league format.
Only three host nations this century — Tunisia, Egypt, and Ivory Coast — have lifted the trophy while staging the event.
