Can Anyone Stop Morocco at AFCON 2025?

Why Morocco is the ultimate favorite for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco, The Ultimate Favorite

Morocco may be the strongest favorite any international tournament has seen in recent memory. It is a bold claim, but one increasingly supported by reality. The stars appear perfectly aligned for The Atlas Lions to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with experts and bookmakers overwhelmingly pointing in one direction.

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Few are willing to suggest that anyone other than Morocco will be celebrating with the trophy on January 18. The combination of form, depth, and momentum has created a gap that, at least on paper, no other African nation has been able to close.

FIFA Arab Cup

(VIDEO) Morocco’s Spectacular Goal From Midfield

Numbers That Separate Them From The Rest

There are very few reasons to doubt Morocco’s chances of winning AFCON for the first time since 1976. In 2022, they made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup, a breakthrough that reshaped how the world views African football.

Three years later, Morocco remain among the global elite, sitting 11th in the FIFA Rankings, ahead of traditional powerhouses such as Mexico, Colombia, and Italy. That consistency has translated directly onto the pitch.

Even as tournament hosts, Morocco chose to go through the qualification process — and dominated it. Six wins from six matches, 26 goals scored and just two conceded. The same dominance has carried over into 2026 World Cup qualifying, where they boast eight wins from eight, with 22 goals scored and only two allowed. No other African side has come close to matching that level.

Star Power And Depth Across The Squad

Even with Achraf Hakimi a major doubt due to injury, Morocco’s squad remains loaded with quality and experience. The attacking focal point is Brahim Díaz of Real Madrid, whose creativity and composure have elevated the team in the final third.

Alongside him, fans should keep a close eye on Eliesse Ben Seghir, the exciting young playmaker from Bayer Leverkusen, whose flair and vision add another unpredictable dimension to an already dangerous side.

Home Soil, Pressure, And The One Warning Sign

If the numbers and talent were not enough, AFCON 2025 will be played on Moroccan soil. Home advantage can bring pressure, but it can also be transformative. Ivory Coast’s miraculous run at AFCON 2023 stands as proof, as the hosts survived the group stage, changed managers mid-tournament, and still lifted the trophy against all odds.

That said, AFCON 2023 also served as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed. Morocco were eliminated by South Africa in the Round of 16, a shock result that still lingers as a cautionary tale.

Teams like Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon possess the talent to produce a similar upset in a knockout match. But make no mistake — it would be a massive surprise. As things stand, it is Morocco… and everyone else far behind.