Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed that star player Achraf Hakimi is capable of recovering quickly from his injury and being part of the Atlas Lions during the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
While announcing the squad for the friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda scheduled for November 14 and 18, Regragui stated: “Everyone knows Hakimi’s value both on and off the field. He is the team captain and the first player I include in any list.”
He added, “Hakimi’s injury is unfortunate and comes at a difficult time, but I am confident that he will be the first to return to the pitch. He is capable of doing anything to be at the AFCON.”
The Atlas Lions’ coach noted that coordination between the national team’s medical staff and Paris Saint-Germain is going excellently. He emphasized: “We will monitor Hakimi’s health condition carefully and establish the best treatment protocol to help him participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Regragui further stated, “It is difficult to predict exactly when he will return, but we will do our utmost to prepare him for the first match. Even if we fail in that regard, he will be with us regardless of his condition; he is the most important player for me both on and off the field.”
Regarding Hakimi’s level, Regragui remarked: “Achraf is an irreplaceable player and was a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or. For us Moroccans, he is the best player in the world.”
He concluded his remarks by praising Noussair Mazraoui, affirming that he is a fantastic player and a “true warrior” who can be relied upon during the tournament matches.
