Morocco ready to shine at CAN 2025: a fan’s perspective
As the CAN 2025 approaches, football fever grips Morocco. The country hasn’t hosted the Africa Cup of Nations since 1988, but this time, everything points to a spectacular tournament. Among the most passionate supporters is Ibrahim, a 20-year-old sports management student, who refuses to accept anything less than victory for the Lions of the Atlas.
From Qatar’s heartbreak to CAN 2025 on home soil
The Moroccan national team has waited nearly five decades to lift the continental trophy. Their last triumph dates back to 1976, and Ibrahim is determined to see history rewritten. “A result short of victory would be a failure,” he asserts. The disappointment of the 2024 CAN, where Morocco exited in the round of 16, still stings. Now, playing on home ground, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The team’s resilience was tested earlier this month when captain Achraf Hakimi suffered a severe ankle sprain during a Ligue 1 match. Missing their star defender for six to eight weeks was a blow, but Ibrahim remains confident. “The squad is stronger than ever,” he says. “We have depth—young talents and experienced players who can step up.”
A nation united by football
The excitement in Morocco is palpable. Nearly 140,000 tickets were sold within 24 hours of the sale launch, despite technical glitches in the booking system. Ibrahim, who studies in Ottawa, will make the trip home to cheer on his team in Casablanca and Rabat, where the tournament kicks off on December 21.
“This will be my first international football event in person,” he shares. “The atmosphere will be electric, especially for games like Senegal vs. DR Congo in Tangier.” With the Ballon d’Or Africain 2025 winner set to feature, the stage is set for Moroccan football to shine.
Why Moroccans won’t settle for less
The Lions of the Atlas have already made their mark on the global stage, reaching the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals. Ibrahim recalls the jubilant scenes in Casablanca when the team defied expectations. “We’re playing at home now,” he says. “The pressure is immense, but so is our belief. Anything less than a title would be unthinkable.”
The team’s blend of flair, discipline, and tactical brilliance has raised expectations. With a squad brimming with talent—from Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi to Marseille’s Amine Adli—fans like Ibrahim are convinced this is Morocco’s year to shine on the continent.