Rabat, Morocco – In a gesture of respect and national pride, the Moroccan national football team paid tribute to Crown Prince Moulay Hassan ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 opening match. The Crown Prince greeted the players as excitement builds in Morocco for the 35th edition of the tournament.

Morocco is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time, with the first time being in 1988. The opening ceremony took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which is one of nine venues across six cities that were constructed or renovated for the tournament. The final match is scheduled to be played in the same stadium on January 18.

The opening ceremony was a vibrant display of Moroccan culture, featuring music, dance, and stunning visual effects. Beninese artist Angélique Kidjo, Moroccan singer Jaylann, and French-Moroccan rapper Lartiste performed the tournament's official song. The ceremony also included a moving performance of "Allah Ya Moulana", a song by the Moroccan group Nass El Ghiwane. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, present at the ceremony, proclaimed that this would be the "best ever Africa Cup of Nations".

In the opening match, Morocco secured a 2-0 victory against Comoros. The goals came from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, with El Kaabi scoring with an acrobatic bicycle kick. Crown Prince Moulay Hassan was seen applauding from the royal box after the bicycle kick goal.

Despite the victory, coach Walid Regragui emphasized the need to manage star player Achraf Hakimi's recovery from an ankle injury. Hakimi, who was named African Footballer of the Year, was on the substitutes bench for the opening game. Regragui expressed confidence that Hakimi would play a role in the tournament as it progresses.

Morocco is considered among the favorites to win AFCON 2025. As the highest-ranked African nation, currently 11th in the world, and with a strong performance in the 2022 World Cup, expectations are high for the Atlas Lions to win their first title in 50 years.