Afcon 2025: Can Morocco Seal African Dominance at Home?

Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, a moment many view as the culmination of a deliberate rebuild. With the tournament staged on home soil, the country hopes to finally lift Africa’s premier national team trophy.

Since lifting the title last in 1976, the Atlas Lions have rarely matched that success on the continental stage. The 2025 edition represents a chance to change that narrative, especially with a wave of experienced players returning from recent international achievements.

“Every time I wear the Moroccan shirt, it feels incredible,” midfielder Sofyan Amrabat told the INLIBER World Service. The former Manchester United man played a central role as Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar—the first African nation to do so—and he stresses that home support adds a special edge to the campaign ahead.

“It’s hard to explain, but you feel it in your chest,” Amrabat added. “I’m excited for this AFCON because it’s at home, and we want to win it for our fans.”

Raising expectations: a clear objective

Football analyst Jalal Bounouar says the immediate target is simple: win AFCON. He describes the continental crown as the missing piece in Morocco’s growing football project, built over years of strategic planning and sustained investment.

Recent success across age groups underlines the rising standard: the men’s under-23 team claimed bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while the under-20s became world champions after beating Argentina in October. Morocco’s domestic-based squad also took the last three African Nations Championship titles (2018, 2020, 2024) and won the FIFA Arab Cup final this year, a sign of broad national momentum.

These results have elevated expectations among fans and pundits alike. “Since 1976 we have not won the Africa Cup of Nations, and that makes this moment even bigger,” Bounouar notes. “Many Moroccans see football as more than sport—it’s a unifying national project.”

Infrastructure fueling the drive

Morocco’s football renaissance rests on standout facilities funded by royal backing. The two flagship sites—Mohammed VI Football Academy and the Mohammed VI Training Complex—serve both youth and senior teams, across men’s and women’s programs. They combine top-level coaching with education, housing, and sports science to create a steady talent pipeline.

The king’s long-term plan began taking shape in 2008, with the academy opening in 2009 and the training complex launching in 2019 at a cost of about £48.5 million. This investment aims to deliver sustainable progress, not quick fixes, by ensuring players access modern facilities and world-class coaching from a young age.

Observers like Nigerian photojournalist Sulaiman Adebayo say the improvements did not happen by accident. “Morocco’s growth is deliberate—facility upgrades, smarter development, and a clear national strategy,” he said. “The results are visible on the field.”

However, the rapid expansion has sparked debate at home. Critics point to social spending priorities, while supporters argue that football success can lift tourism and national pride. Yet most Moroccans still view football as a vital engine for unity and global visibility.

Key players and the home challenge

Morocco arrives with one of Africa’s strongest squads. Captain and winger Achraf Hakimi anchors the attack, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and playmaker Brahim Diaz bring elite European experience. Hakimi’s status as a national icon remains clear, though a lingering ankle issue could affect his participation. Manager Walid Regragui says the team will do everything possible to have him on the pitch, but the squad will still be competitive if he cannot play.

Morocco begin their campaign against Comoros in the tournament opener, scheduled for Sunday at 19:00 GMT. Amrabat and the rest of the squad are keen to translate domestic progress into continental glory in front of a home crowd.

“We have excellent stadiums and favorable weather, and the energy from the fans can push us to press with intensity,” Amrabat explains. “This moment belongs to the people, and we want to make them happy.”

Expert take

“Winning AFCON is the immediate objective for Morocco, and hosting boosts their chances to complete a long-term national project,” says Jalal Bounouar, a veteran football analyst. He adds that sustained investment has created a pipeline of players ready for Europe’s top leagues.

Summary

Morocco is leveraging a decade of targeted development to pursue Africa’s top prize on home soil. The combination of world-class facilities, a steady youth pipeline, and a star-studded senior squad positions the Atlas Lions as strong favorites, though the path to success includes potential hurdles such as Hakimi’s fitness. If the home crowd delivers, this could be Morocco’s moment to finally lift AFCON.

Short takeaway: Hosting AFCON 2025 offers Morocco a historic chance to cement its status as Africa’s football powerhouse, backed by first-rate infrastructure and a rising generation of talent. The tournament remains a test of whether long-term plans can pay off when the spotlight is brightest.

Key insight: Hosting AFCON 2025 could crown Morocco as Africa’s football powerhouse, thanks to elite facilities and a new generation of players. Source: BBC Sport

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