National team coach Walid Regragui announced on Thursday the final list of players summoned for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Central African Republic on October 12 and 15 at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda. The qualifiers are for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, set to be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Regragui's list saw the absence of Hakim Ziyech due to a back muscle injury suffered during the last international break, which will require up to a month of rest after examinations at his club Galatasaray, according to the national coach during a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz will also be sidelined for around a month due to a thigh muscle injury.
On the other hand, the list included Oussama Essahraoui, Lille's forward, after his sporting nationality change from Norway to Morocco was approved. Salahdine Chaheb, Reda Belhyan, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal also received their maiden call-ups.
Morocco, who automatically qualified as hosts, are in Group E alongside Gabon, Central African Republic, and Lesotho.
The full list of players called up is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane), Salahdine Chaheb (MAS Fès)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Nassir Mazraoui (Manchester United), Abdelkarim Baadi (Alavés), Jamal Harkass (Wydad AC), Nayef Aguerd (Real Sociedad), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids FC), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich), Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal (Rennes)
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahçe), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester City), Reda Belhyan (Hellas Verona), Osama Targhalline (Le Havre), Anas Zniti (Panathinaikos)
Forwards: Ilias Chair (Watford), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahçe), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Walid Cheddira (Bari), Oussama Essahraoui (Lille)