Can Comoros Cause an AFCON Upset Against Morocco?
Everything points to a routine opening, but football history rarely follows the script. In Rabat, an uneven matchup promises far more than a formality.
A David vs. Goliath Match-Up to Open AFCON 2025
Who on earth would be bold enough to bet against Morocco winning its opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match in style?
All the excitement of AFCON 2025 exclusively on beIN Sports, starting December 21.
After all, Morocco is not just the best team in Africa, but also one of the strongest sides in the world, officially ranked 11th in the FIFA Rankings. Morocco reached the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A fair amount of scrolling is required to find the position of Comoros in the FIFA rankings.
The Gap on Paper Is Enormous
To save you the trouble, the football team representing a volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique is ranked 108th, just behind Lebanon.
Morocco’s star-studded squad plays for elite clubs such as PSG, Real Madrid, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United, PSV, and Roma. By contrast, Comoros’ players are affiliated with far less illustrious teams, including Guingamp, Fréjus Saint-Raphaël, and CD Tondela.
Why Comoros Believe This Is Their Moment
And yet… Comoros has earned its place opposite Morocco on Sunday, lining up before a passionate home crowd at the rebuilt Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This team, made up largely of players from the country’s diaspora, finished top of its AFCON qualifying group, ahead of Tunisia, and remained unbeaten in all six matches.
While Comoros did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the team still won five of its ten qualifying games, including a victory over Ghana. This is not a group of star-struck newcomers. It is a side capable of competing — and surviving — against anyone.
When History Warns Against Certainty
Few would have given Saudi Arabia a chance against Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, yet the underdogs prevailed. At the last Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast barely escaped the group stage on goal difference before going on to win the entire tournament.
Morocco will still enter Sunday’s match as overwhelming favorites — both to beat Comoros and to lift the trophy. But stories about Comoros’ small population (866,628) or its remote location miss the point. This national team has everything to gain and nothing to lose, while Morocco carries the full weight of expectation.
In AFCON, that equation has a habit of producing surprises.
Match Info
🗓️ Sunday, December 21
⏰ 1:50 PM ET
⚽ Morocco vs. Comoros
📺 LIVE on beIN SPORTS
