CAN 2025: 'Don't expect big wins, we're aiming for the title,' says Walid Regragui

Morocco's head coach tempers expectations for spectacle and reminds everyone of his team's objectives.

Africa 19 June 2025 at 15:37

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Walid Regragui

Walid Regragui delivered a clear message to Moroccan supporters ahead of CAN 2025. During a meeting this Thursday, June 19, with the FRMF, the Atlas Lions' head coach warned that the tournament would be tough and that the team would prioritize efficiency over putting on a show.

With less than six months to go before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco, Walid Regragui is making his ambitions crystal clear. The 49-year-old coach refuses to bow to public pressure demanding emphatic wins. According to him, all of his squad's energy will be focused on capturing the continental trophy. He emphasized that the competition will be fierce, with every match potentially decided by the smallest of margins.

"The CAN won't be easy," he stated bluntly, before continuing, "Don't expect big wins in every CAN match. Tough games await us. The real objective is to win the title. We're aiming for the title, not for spectacle," Walid Regragui insisted.

He is urging supporters to back the players, while accepting that every match could turn into a tactical battle. "Criticism is welcome if it's constructive. Let's stay united behind the Lions. Be patient and support us," he concluded.

As a reminder, Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, for the second time after CAN 1988. To continue their quest for a second continental crown, the Atlas Lions must first navigate a group stage featuring Comoros, Mali, and Zambia.