Official: Brahim Díaz named in Morocco squad for AFCON 2025

Morocco have confirmed Brahim Díaz in their squad for AFCON 2025, a timely reinforcement for a host nation aiming high. The Real Madrid playmaker, who committed his international future to Morocco in 2024, brings creativity between the lines, close control in tight zones, and end-product in the final third. It is a statement call that deepens Morocco’s attacking mix around Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi and Youssef En-Nesyri. For Madrid, his absence will be felt during the tournament window and preparation period. For Morocco, this is a smart, high-upside selection that raises the team’s ceiling in knockout moments.

Morocco’s AFCON 2025 squad announcement includes Brahim Díaz after his switch of allegiance in 2024, when he featured in senior friendlies and integrated under coach Walid Regragui. AFCON 2025 is scheduled to be staged in Morocco, adding home advantage and heightened expectations. Díaz, under contract with Real Madrid, heads into the tournament following a strong club period and increasing influence in advanced roles. This confirmation settles months of discussion around his continental availability and clarifies both Morocco’s attacking hierarchy and Real Madrid’s planning during the international window.

🚨 OFFICIAL: Brahim Díaz is called up for the 2025 AFCON with Morocco.

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

Brahim Díaz gives Morocco something they have lacked consistently since AFCON 2021: a true connective 10 who can receive under pressure, roll defenders, and create in the half-spaces. He is press-resistant, rides contact, and breaks lines with quick diagonals or give-and-go sequences. In Regragui’s 4-3-3, he can work as a right-sided interior drifting between full-back and center-back, or as the 10 in a 4-2-3-1 with Ziyech wide, Hakimi overlapping and En-Nesyri pinning the last line. The geometry is clean: Hakimi’s surges open the lane, Díaz occupies the pocket, and the weak-side winger attacks the far post.

His club form provides a strong platform. After establishing himself at Real Madrid last season with double-digit goals and near double-digit assists across competitions, he carried that rhythm forward with sharper off-ball timing and more decisive final passes. The defensive piece is underrated: he presses with intensity and angles his runs to trap play toward the touchline, a habit formed in Spain and Italy that fits Morocco’s compact mid-block.

Two macro effects follow. First, Morocco can vary tempo without sacrificing control, toggling between quick transitions and patient possession. Second, set-piece quality improves, with Díaz’s inswingers complementing Ziyech’s delivery. If fitness holds and chemistry settles early, Morocco’s chance creation should trend up, especially against low blocks that previously stalled them.

Reaction

Social platforms lit up the moment the call-up dropped. Many Moroccan fans framed it as the missing creative spark, calling it a massive boost and a clear win for the player. Neutral observers praised the merit of the selection, highlighting his recent club-level influence and improved consistency. A recurring theme from Madrid supporters was concern about availability, with some fearing he could be away for a long stretch due to tournament buildup, travel, and recovery time. One fan put it simply: he’s gone for two months, reflecting anxiety about a busy winter-spring calendar.

Others focused on the football. Comments celebrated his ball-carrying, balance in traffic, and the matchup potential when pairing him with Hakimi on the right corridor. Some added a human touch, joking about Morocco assembling a roster full of flair and personality. There was also respect for his journey: a talented attacker who fought for minutes at elite clubs, refined his game, and earned his place with performances, not reputation.

Overall sentiment skewed positive. Supporters in North Africa welcomed a high-profile name choosing the Atlas Lions in their prime. Madridistas, even while bracing for his absence, largely wished him well, trusting the club’s depth to cover. The consensus: this is deserved, timely, and exciting.

Social reactions

God is great. I hope he succeeds there. Now can Eminem step back on the pitch and rotate that Rw with Rodrygo

K.Peace0202 (@KPeace0202)

Brahim to AFCON!!!🇲🇦🔥

Nikk (@Nikk94845808)

morocco unlocked the prettiest player fr

Madison (@SpicyMadii)

Prediction

Three scenarios sit on the table. Best case: Regragui settles quickly on a 4-2-3-1 with Díaz as the central creator, Ziyech floating right-to-invert, and Hakimi providing width. Morocco control matches, win territory through rest-defense and second balls, and ride set pieces plus moments of individual quality into the late rounds. In that path, Díaz posts decisive contributions in quarterfinal and semifinal stages when games tighten and one clean action decides the outcome.

Middle case: Opponents congest the middle, forcing Morocco wide and into crossed traffic. Díaz still aids progression, but chance volume fluctuates. Morocco advance, but need penalty resilience and bench impact from players like Abde and Adli. Díaz alternates between starting and finishing games depending on tactical needs.

Risk case: Fitness or rhythm dips, and the structure around him lacks the vertical threat to stretch defenses. If that occurs, Regragui may lean on a more direct 4-3-3, using Díaz as a high-impact substitute. Even then, one spark off the bench could swing a knockout. For Real Madrid, his absence opens minutes for Rodrygo, Arda Güler and Endrick, which could accelerate their form before the run-in.

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Conclusion

Brahim Díaz’s inclusion is more than a headline. It recalibrates Morocco’s creative map and offers balance between artistry and industry. He respects the game’s hard parts, tracks runners, and still finds the quality touch in the last 25 meters. That blend is rare. Hosting pressure can crush or crystallize a team’s identity. With Díaz, Morocco gain a player comfortable in decisive matches who has felt the weight of the Bernabéu and delivered. If the spine holds firm and the right flank synchronizes, the Atlas Lions are equipped to play on their terms, not the opponent’s.

For Real Madrid, the trade-off is clear. Short-term absence, long-term upside in a more seasoned player returning from a high-intensity tournament. For Morocco, it signals intent. This is a team aiming to win, not just compete. On this evidence, the call-up makes complete football sense.