Posted 17:30 CET, 21 December 2025. Kickoff 20:00. Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.
Morocco 3, Comoros 0.
The tournament opens with the host nation against the smallest federation in the field. The script is obvious. The pressure on Morocco is to perform the script convincingly. The pressure on Comoros is to make Morocco work for it.
Morocco starts with their first-choice eleven. Bono in goal. Hakimi at right back. Mazraoui left. The centre-back pairing is Aguerd and Saiss. The midfield three has Ounahi as the link, with two more disciplined players around him. The front three is Ziyech wide right, En-Nesyri central, and Brahim Díaz drifting from the left into the half-spaces where he is most dangerous.
Comoros will defend deep. Two banks of four, sometimes five at the back when the home team pushes both full-backs. Their only realistic plan is to absorb pressure, hope for a set piece, and play for forty-five minutes of damage limitation before regrouping at the break.
Morocco scores early. Probably from a Hakimi cross to En-Nesyri, which is the move Comoros will struggle to defend against from minute one. Brahim Díaz adds a second from the edge of the box. The third comes late, from a substitute, which is when this kind of match always opens up.
Final prediction: Morocco 3, Comoros 0. Brahim Díaz scores, the stadium loses its mind, the tournament is officially underway.