Morocco: Walid Regragui prepares his list with new gems and the surprise return of Sofiane Boufal

A few weeks before the last international break before the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN Morocco 2025), here are the players who could be called up to the senior team. Four heroes of the U20 World Cup in Chile would be on the list for the next matches of the Atlas Lions. According to several sources, these are Othmane Maamma, right winger of Watford and best player of the World Cup, Yassir Zabiri, center forward of Famalicão and scorer of the competition, Houssem Essadak, midfielder of US Touarga and Ismaïl Baouf, central defender of Cambuur. The club of the latter has even confirmed his pre-selection.

Another name mentioned: Sofiane Boufal. Not selected for the national team since the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, the attacking midfielder of Union Saint-Gilloise would be in Regragui’s pre-selection, reveals Foot Mercato. If confirmed, the 32-year-old player would be the surprise of the next gathering of the Atlas Lions, as he is currently in poor form. He has provided only one assist and has played only 173 minutes since the start of the season. So far, he has not been a starter.

The next matches of the Moroccan national team represent an opportunity for Walid Regragui to refine his tactical schemes, improve team cohesion and boost the confidence of his players and reassure Moroccan supporters, before the next Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) which will be held from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco.