Morocco kicks off the 35th Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday against Comoros (8:00 pm), which it is hosting until January 18 with a double obligation: to win a title that has eluded it for 50 years and to offer a perfect organization before hosting the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal.

On Sunday afternoon in Rabat, in front of the new Moulay Abdellah stadium, lit up with its red and green neon lights in the colors of Morocco, a crowd of supporters was already braving the light but persistent rain to access the nearly 70,000-seat venue, which was announced as sold out for the evening.

In view of the television cameras, some chanted "Dima Maghreb" ("Long live Morocco") next to dozens of police cars, ambulances, auxiliary forces — including some mounted units — to the rhythm of drums and Afro music.

Jawad Jemili, a Moroccan originally from Casablanca but residing in France, traveled from Strasbourg specifically for the event without even being certain of getting a ticket.

"I finally found one last night on the black market, for a fortune," the 34-year-old technician told AFP, adding that he left home around noon by train "for the atmosphere among supporters."

He believes this match against Comoros will be "difficult" because "there is enormous pressure on the Moroccan team." "But I think we will win because we have the potential," he adds, predicting a 2-1 victory for the Atlas Lions.

"Any result other than victory will be perceived as a defeat," reaffirmed Walid Regragui, the Moroccan coach who is also under pressure, on Saturday, on the eve of the opening match.

Alongside him, captain Achraf Hakimi, the tournament's leading figure, reassured the entire kingdom about his health: in a race against time since a serious ankle injury on November 4th with Paris Saint-Germain, the defender is "ready to play," he confirmed. He might, however, be rested on Sunday while he continues to improve his fitness.

- Dress rehearsal -

Facing the overwhelming favorite of the competition, semi-finalist of the last World Cup in 2022 in Qatar and first African nation in the FIFA rankings (11th), is a pack of pursuers, starting with Sadio Mané's Senegal, Mohamed Salah's Egypt, always well placed during the AFCON as well as Cameroon, despite the chaos that reigns within the Indomitable Lions.

Ivory Coast, the defending champions, Victor Osimhen's Nigeria and Algeria, which is regaining its luster after a few lean years, can also dream of taking down Morocco on its own turf.

"I expect a lot from the fans: if they come tomorrow (Sunday) to take selfies or eat canapés, they're useless to us," warned Regragui. "They need to create an atmosphere and put pressure on our opponents. I'm also putting pressure on the fans."

The national team coach isn't the only one under immense pressure. Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, also has to deliver a flawless performance in terms of organization. The country is preparing to welcome fans from dozens of countries, and over a million tickets have already been sold.

In 2030, the kingdom will be the second African country to host a World Cup, 20 years after South Africa. It will co-host with Spain and Portugal. To prepare for this, it is further developing its infrastructure, particularly hotels, railways, roads, airports, and telecommunications, with investments of several billion euros.

The AFCON is a dress rehearsal and around the nine stadiums and six cities of the competition, the final adjustments are being made.

The roundabouts are covered with flags of the 24 participating African nations. On the roads and at the stadium entrances, workers are busy stapling and adjusting the arches in the colors of the Africa Cup of Nations. Everything is ready for the anticipated victory.