MOROCCO head coach Walid Regragui has named a powerful 28-man squad, which includes the recuperating Achraf Hakimi.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on December 21 and end on January 18.
The squad, unveiled last night, features the country’s biggest stars, including Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Despite suffering a serious ankle injury recently, African Player of the Year Hakimi has been included and is expected to miss the opening matches, but Regragui insisted the Paris Saint-Germain star’s leadership is too important to leave out.
Morocco enter the tournament under immense pressure, widely viewed as favourites after a record run of 18 consecutive victories. The home fans expect nothing less than a title—their first since 1976.
Regragui’s final squad reinforces the spine that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-final and has dominated African football for the past two years.
Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who continues his rapid ascent after debuting in November.
The full-back department remains among the strongest in Africa, with Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United and Adam Masina complementing Hakimi and young left-back Anass Salah-Eddine.
In midfield, Morocco will rely on a technically gifted and dynamic group including Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, and the experienced Sofyan Amrabat.
The attack features an impressive mix of established finishers and emerging talent.
Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi lead the line, supported by creative wide players Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Brahim Diaz, who has transformed Morocco’s attacking play since switching allegiance.
MOROCCO SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Munir El Kajoui
Yassine Bounou
El Mehdi Al Harrar
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi
Mohamed Chibi
Jawad El Yamiq
Romain Saïss
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
Nayef Aguerd
Adam Masina
Noussair Mazraoui
Anas Salah-Eddine
Midfielders
Oussama Targhalline
Sofyan Amrabat
Ismael Saibari
Neil El Aynaoui
Bilal El Khannouss
Azzedine Ounahi
Forwards
Brahim Diaz
Ilias Akhomach
Chemsdine Talbi
Youssef En-Nesyri
Ayoub El Kaabi
Soufiane Rahimi
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Eliesse Ben Seghir
Reserve Players
Youssef Belammari
Hamza Igamane