REGRAGUI'S RISK: INJURED ACHRAF HAKIMI NAMED CAPTAIN & "MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER" FOR AFCON
Regragui calls Achraf Hakimi his "most important player" as Morocco aims for its first AFCON title since 1976. Read the full squad list and analysis of their tournament chances.
Despite a recent injury, defender Achraf Hakimi is on Morocco’s 28-man roster as they get ready for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) starting in December.
Coach Walid Regragui revealed his squad on Thursday. The team will host the 35th edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in about a week and a half.
Hakimi has been sidelined since picking up an injury playing for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in a 2-1 loss against Bayern Munich on November 4th.
The 2025 Champions League hopeful joins other big names like Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri. Regragui said that it was necessary to have Hakimi on the team.
“We will do everything we can to get him ready for the Comoros match. Even if he isn’t 100% ready, he’ll still be with us,” Regragui said at a press conference. “He’s the most important player for me, both on and off the field.”
He added, “Hakimi is in good shape and is working hard. We're hoping he’ll be ready for the first game.”
Morocco will play Comoros in their first game.
Experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from Al Hilal has been included. He will compete for the starting spot with Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane, Botola Pro) and El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca, Botola Pro).
The defence includes Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd, along with Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.
Morocco is in Group A and will play Comoros, Mali, and Zambia. Their only AFCON title was in 1976 in Ethiopia. Since then, their best finish was in 2004, losing 2-1 to Tunisia in the final.
The Atlas Lions’ first tournament game is against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Here’s the 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).
Défenseurs : 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) et 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), and 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), and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga).
Reserve Players: Youssef Belammari (Raja Casablanca, Botola Pro), Hamza Igamane (Lille, Ligue 1).
EXCLUSIVE: AJAX AND SCHALKE LAUNCH BIDS FOR OUT-OF-CONTRACT RANGERS MIDFIELDER BAILEY RICE NOW
Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice is a top target for Ajax and Schalke. Get the latest on his contract status and potential summer exit.
Ajax and Schalke are chasing Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, with both clubs working to seal a deal for the 19-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers just wrapped up a training camp in Spain, gearing up for a crucial five-game stretch to go for the league title after the split earlier this month. Their run-in starts with Motherwell at home on Sunday, then a massive trip to face league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle next weekend.
After that comes the season’s final Old Firm showdown against Celtic at Parkhead on May 10, before closing out with Hibernian and Falkirk, who are the lowest-ranked teams in the split, having finished fifth and sixth.
This summer looks set for big changes at Rangers, and Rice is right at the centre of it. Romano reported on X that both Ajax and Schalke want to sign Rice as a free agent. The young Scottish midfielder is out of contract this summer. Talks over a new deal with Rangers haven’t worked out, so he’s weighing up his next move. Schalke reportedly already made him a personal offer, and Premier League side Aston Villa had also been linked with him earlier this year.
Rice has barely featured for Rangers this season after suffering a serious training injury that needed surgery; he’s only played a handful of minutes.
As for the rest of the squad, Rangers look set for another overhaul. After a busy transfer window last summer and more signings in January, things don’t seem to be slowing down. Manager Rohl has made do with what he has, but the club’s owners, the 49ers, are ready to back a ‘major recruitment drive’ this summer. Their aim? Knock Celtic off the top and keep Hearts from breaking up the Old Firm grip on Scottish football.
Nobody knows just how many players could come in yet, but it’s clear the owners are serious about shaking things up at Ibrox.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.