The road ahead
for the African Nations Cup 2026 (AFCON) is filled with excitement and
some intriguing changes. With the 2023 edition (played in early 2024)
concluded, eyes turn to the AFCON 2025/2026 cycle and beyond. In casual
conversation, many are calling the next tournament “African Nations Cup 2026,”
since it will conclude in early 2026. Let’s clarify the timeline, discuss the
host nations and preparations, and explore what to expect – from format tweaks
to broader future changes in the competition.
Which
Country is Hosting AFCON 2025?
The host
nation for this tournament is Morocco, as announced by CAF.
The next AFCON is officially the 2025 edition, but as noted, it will actually
take place straddling December 2025 and January 2026. CAF awarded Morocco the
hosting rights after Guinea (initially slated to host 2025) was stripped due to
inadequate preparations.
Host Cities
and Stadiums for AFCON 2025
Morocco is
leaving no stone unturned. They have announced six host cities with nine
stadiums for the event. The cities include:
- Rabat – the capital, where the main
stadium Prince Moulay Abdellah (69,000 capacity) will host the opening
match and final. Rabat actually has multiple stadiums; four venues in
Rabat/Sale area will be utilized.
- Casablanca – Morocco’s largest city and
football hub (home to Raja and Wydad). The iconic Stade Mohammed V
(recently renovated) will host games (earmarked for a quarter-final).
- Marrakech – A tourist city with a
45,000-seat stadium that will host group matches and possibly a
quarter-final.
- Fez – Has a 40,000-seat stadium,
selected for the group stage and a quarter-final.
- Tangier – In the north, a 65,000 stadium
(recently hosted FIFA Club World Cup matches) is slated for matches and a
semi-final.
- Agadir – Coastal city with a 45,000
stadium, will also see action (quarter-final likely).
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Morocco is
also building a brand new massive stadium outside Casablanca (115,000 seats
planned) for the 2030 World Cup they’ll co-host, alongside Portugal and Spain,
but that won’t be ready by AFCON 2025. Instead, they’ll lean on existing venues
that are all high-quality.
Expect
Top-Notch Organization
Morocco has
experience hosting (they stepped in for the Club World Cup in 2013, 2014, 2022
and did so successfully). Fans can expect full stadiums – Moroccan supporters
are passionate, and the country’s large immigrant communities might ensure good
turnout even for neutral games. The infrastructure (airports, roads, hotels) is
among Africa’s best. In short, AFCON 2025 in Morocco should be a smooth,
world-class event, perhaps setting a new standard.
Home Team
Aspirations
Morocco will
be one of the favorites to win. After a historic World Cup 2022 semi-final run,
the Atlas Lions are hungry to lift the 2025 AFCON (which they’ve only won once,
in 1976). With home advantage, players like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and
Yassine Bounou will be driven to deliver. Ivory Coast just won the African
Nations Cup final in 2024 as hosts – can Morocco emulate that in 2025/26?
According to Reuters, Morocco sees AFCON as a showcase ahead of co-hosting
World Cup 2030, so there’s extra incentive to impress.
Looking
Further Ahead
AFCON 2027 has been awarded to a joint bid of Kenya,
Uganda, and Tanzania. This will mark East Africa’s first AFCON hosting in
over four decades (since Ethiopia 1976), and the first time multiple countries
(three, in this case) jointly host. We’ll talk about expected changes for that
tournament in a bit, but the hosts are confirmed. It’s an exciting development
because it spreads AFCON to a new region, fulfilling CAF’s aim to rotate among
its zones. Beyond 2027,bBids for 2029 (if staying biennial) aren’t decided
yet. Some speculate that AFCON might shift its cycle due to World Cup changes,
but CAF has not indicated any move away from the 2-year rhythm (they denied
moving to four-year cycle). Possibly North Africa or West Africa will bid for
2029 (Egypt or Nigeria maybe). It’s early, but historically CAF might award
AFCON 2029 by 2025 or 2026.
What to
Expect in AFCON 2025 (2026)
Unorthodox
Timing – AFCON over New Year’s:
The AFCON in
Morocco is scheduled for 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. This will be the
first AFCON held over the end-of-year holiday period. Here’s what to expect
from the timing of the African Nations Cup fixtures;
Players will
likely join their national teams in early December 2025 (European clubs must
release them by FIFA rules). This means many African stars will miss club
fixtures through the busy Christmas/New Year period – something clubs aren’t
thrilled about. Expect a renewal of the club-vs-country narrative in the media
around December 2025. However, CAF prioritized avoiding the clash with FIFA’s
Club World Cup in June 2025, thus this compromise. The Guardian notes it might
clash with Europe’s festive football calendar – e.g., Premier League’s Boxing
Day games will lack their African players. Weather-wise, December-January is
actually a great time in Morocco (mild winter, good for football).
Fans might
see AFCON games on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, etc. That could create unique
viewing parties (imagine New Year countdown followed by a big quarter-final
match!). It’s unusual but could be fun for fans who incorporate it into holiday
celebrations. There could be scheduling challenges with players’ fatigue since
they will have had a half-season of club football, then AFCON, then go back to
clubs to finish the season. CAF and national coaches will have to manage
players’ workloads carefully.
World Cup
and AFCON Integration
By 2026, the
FIFA World Cup (USA/Canada/Mexico) will expand to 48 teams, meaning 9 or 10
African teams will qualify (up from 5). AFCON 2025 performance could have a
psychological or rankings impact heading into World Cup 2026 (which is June
2026). In fact, the AFCON final is Jan 18, 2026, and the World Cup is likely to
start mid-June 2026 – about 5 months apart. This means AFCON champions and
other strong performers will gain confidence and competitive edge before the
World Cup. It also means that for the first time, an African champion will go
into a World Cup in the same year. There’s a chance an AFCON winner could carry
momentum to the World Cup knockout stages. (Senegal 2022 was similar but had a
longer gap of 10 months).
Additionally,
the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will be concluded by late 2025 (African
qualifiers finish November 2025). So AFCON 2025/26 will feature all the African
nations that made the World Cup 2026 – it could be a mini-preview of African
representation. If, say, a surprise team qualifies for the World Cup, AFCON is
a great testing ground for them against big teams before facing global giants
in June. AFCON will remain a 24-team tournament. CAF isn’t likely to expand
beyond 24 for now (the format works and 24 out of 54 is a good ratio). The
structure (6 groups of 4, Round of 16, etc.) will be the same as 2019, 2021,
2023 editions.
What to expect format-wise? In Morocco 2025, Morocco
automatically qualifies as host. The African Nations Cup qualifiers Qualifiers
for the other 23 spots are already underway (teams like Algeria, Nigeria, and
Egypt are likely to qualify easily, while some new faces could emerge). There
was talk in global football of testing new rules or VAR technologies – for
AFCON 2025, possibly more advanced use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) from
group stage onwards (in 2019, VAR was only from QF onward; by 2021, VAR was
used in all matches). Expect full VAR coverage, maybe even semi-automated
offside tech if CAF implements what FIFA did in WC 2022. CAF might implement
the new extra time substitution rules or concussion sub rules if approved
globally.
Hosting
Competition
AFCON 2025
will be fiercely contested. A number of teams are peaking or rebuilding. Morocco
(as hosts, World Cup semi-finalists) – expect them to be favorites. They have a
very balanced team under coach Walid Regragui. Ivory Coast (defending
champions) – will want to show they can win outside home soil. Their golden gen
2.0 (Zaha, Haller, Kessié, Sangaré, etc.) will still be in their prime in 2025.
Senegal – 2021 champs, knocked out early in 2023; they’ll reload, and
players like Mané, Koulibaly might have one more AFCON in them while younger
talent (Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson) step up. They’ll also aim to peak at the
World Cup 2026. Egypt – record champions, fell short in the last two
finals (2017, 2021). Mo Salah will be 33 by 2025 AFCON; he’ll be desperate to
finally win one for Egypt.
They have new talent like Mohamed Abdelmonem
(defender) and others to support him. Nigeria – a team in transition,
but by 2025 their youthful stars (Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola
Lookman) could form a deadly unit. Nigeria underperformed in 2021 and didn’t go
far in 2024; expect a resurgence push. Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria –
traditional powers who had disappointing 2024 campaigns (Ghana and Algeria
didn’t make knockouts, Cameroon lost in quarters as hosts in 2022). They will
be keen to bounce back. Algeria, for one, has a new generation (e.g., Rayan
Aït-Nouri now joining, plus still Mahrez, etc.). Don’t be surprised if newer
contenders like Mali, Burkina Faso, or even debutants like Gambia (QF in 2021)
make a splash. AFCON often has a dark horse (e.g., Madagascar 2019, Burkina
2013 runner-up, Zambia 2012 winners). With more teams, expect at least one
Cinderella run.
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Possible
Controversies
Scheduling
around Christmas might cause some logistical quirks (will players be released
promptly? Will there be any compromise like some players arriving late after
club games? CAF will coordinate with FIFA on release dates). The overlap with
the expanded Champions League (UEFA’s new format adds January match days in
2026) could be tricky for European clubs – CAF might hear noise, but nothing
they haven’t before. Refereeing and VAR consistency: after the 2022 ref
incident, CAF will try to ensure top referees and maybe involve more technology
or even some foreign refs to assist. African Nations Cup 2025 could see
better officiating if CAF learns from the past. Security: Morocco is stable and
experienced in hosting. Minimal concerns, though high-profile events always
have to guard against potential threats. Moroccan authorities will be very
prepared (especially as a prelude to World Cup 2030 co-hosting).
Fan
Experience and Global Interest:
If you’re a
fan planning to watch or travel, Morocco is tourist-friendly. Stadium
atmospheres will be vibrant. Moroccan fans are known for organized choreos and
loud support (their “Ultras” culture is strong). Visiting fans from other
African countries will also feel welcome (Morocco often subsidizes travel for
African fans or at least used to for club competitions). Global
interest in AFCON is rising – the 2025 edition should be widely broadcast.
Expect coverage on supersports, Canal+, beIN Sports, and possibly more
streaming options internationally (in 2023, some AFCON games were on FIFA’s
streaming app in certain regions). The presence of world stars like Hakimi,
Salah, Osimhen will attract neutral viewers.
Future
Changes on the Horizon for AFCON
Beyond 2025,
several changes or trends are anticipated.
AFCON 2027
East Africa – A New Model of Co-Hosting:
Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania have a big task to prepare infrastructure by 2027. They plan to
upgrade existing stadiums and build some new ones. It’s an opportunity but also
a challenge: none of these countries currently has a stadium up to AFCON final
standard (60k seater) – presumably one will be built or heavily upgraded (e.g.,
Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi might be expanded).
Co-hosting
could mean matches across three countries – travel logistics for teams and fans
must be worked out. Possibly groups will be regionalized (e.g., Group A in
Kenya, B in Tanzania, C in Uganda, etc., then knockout rotation).
The success of
2027 will influence if CAF encourages more co-host bids (like the Euro style).
It’s the first triple-host in AFCON history, so expect CAF to provide guidance
and maybe some financial support.
Political and
economic implications: This selection was partly to spread opportunity, but if
these nations deliver, it opens the door for others who alone couldn’t host, to
team up (maybe a joint West African bid in future, etc.).
Scheduling
and Frequency Debates:
CAF remains committed to a biennial AFCON,
despite occasional debate if moving to a four-year cycle would ease pressure.
The Guardian reported CAF denying any shift to four years. But with the World
Cup expanding and FIFA pushing new competitions (Club World Cup, possibly a
revamped Confederations Cup?), CAF might have to be flexible with timing. It’s
possible AFCON might settle into a January tournament permanently again,
alternating with Euro (Euro in even summers, AFCON in odd winters).
After 2025 in
winter and 2027 likely mid-year (if East Africa June-July climate is okay,
which it generally is), the pattern could become irregular (2025 winter, 2027
summer, then perhaps 2029 winter if needed to avoid something). Fans and
players might have to adapt to AFCON not always being at the same time of year.
One benefit:
Starting 2025, AFCON will no longer conflict with the expanded Club
World Cup (since that’s every 4 years mid-summer). But it might conflict with
an expanded Asian Cup or Copa America some years; however, those are summer
events usually.
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Club
Football Impact, Technology and Format Tweaks
By AFCON 2027,
we may see stronger squads as more African-based players get top competition in
the AFL. Also, more revenue from AFL can improve stadiums and training
facilities. But since AFL will likely align with the normal Aug-May calendar, a
Jan AFCON still causes a break – club vs country at African club level will
become a thing too (e.g., Al Ahly losing players to AFCON affects their AFL
run).
VAR is now
standard; we will see innovations like goal-line technology at all venues (not
all African stadiums have it yet, but Morocco likely will). CAF could consider
changing the third-place team rule, but unlikely; the 24-team format with best
four third-places will likely stay. However, one change under discussion
globally is to eliminate third-place matches. For AFCON, third-place games
often happen (fans do watch, and teams care – e.g., South Africa celebrated
bronze in 2024). So CAF will probably keep it. Also, as AFCON becomes
more lucrative, expect prize money to increase, which in turn ups competition.
CAF secured a $1 billion sponsorship (TotalEnergies 8-year deal for AFCON),
which should allow bigger prizes and better organization.
Inclusion
of Diaspora Players and Eligibility
More
European-born players of African descent are opting to play for African nations
(e.g., in recent years: Laporte for Spain was a case other way, but Africa has
many like Boufal, Lampty, Lookman switching to their roots). This trend will
continue, meaning AFCON squads might feature even more players who came through
European academies. This raises overall quality. Some controversies sometimes
arise (like if players switch last-minute, team chemistry questions), but in
general it’s been positive for African teams. By the 2026 World Cup, African
teams could be the strongest they’ve been collectively, partly due to this
player pool broadening. AFCON 2025 will showcase a lot of that talent.
World Cup
2030 shadow
Morocco
co-hosting World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal means after 2025, their focus
shifts to that. But also it might mean African teams get an automatic slot
(Morocco as co-host gets automatic WC spot presumably, that might adjust
African qualifying slots slightly). Not directly AFCON related, but by AFCON
2027, Morocco as likely AFCON participant may already be qualified for 2030
World Cup as host – they might use AFCON to build a WC team without
qualification pressure. The World Cup 2030 in Africa (even partially) will
boost African football interest. The 2027 AFCON could be seen as a primer event
on the continent as excitement for 2030 builds. Also perhaps better
infrastructure in North Africa by 2030 will trickle down – maybe more nations
will be capable of hosting AFCON.
In summary,
the African Nations Cup 2025 in Morocco is gearing up to be a
memorable tournament in a unique timeframe, with a very strong host and strong
field. Following that, is AFCON 2027 which will also break new ground with
three hosts in East Africa. Fans should expect a high-quality tournament in
Morocco with all the big African stars present. Some schedule adjustments but
likely great atmospheres and storylines. Continuous improvement in how CAF runs
the show, hopefully with fewer controversies and more positive headlines (the
success of Ivory Coast 2024 was a good booster, and Morocco will want to top
that). The emergence of perhaps new champions or a continuation of the recent
trend of different winners (last 4 AFCONs have had 4 different champions –
Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast).
Wrapping Up
All in all,
the future of AFCON looks bright. There will be challenges (there always
are in a complex continent with 54 nations), but CAF’s decisions – giving
Morocco and then East Africa the hosting rights, keeping the tournament
regular, and working with global football changes – indicate adaptation and
ambition.
As fans, we
can look forward to the next African Nations Cup knowing it will deliver the
trademark passion, skill, and surprise that we’ve come to love, while also
being part of a period of evolution for African football on the world stage.
Whether you call it AFCON 2025 or AFCON 2026, mark your calendar for Dec 2025 –
Jan 2026, because African football’s next chapter will be written in Moroccan
stadiums under the winter sun and the world will be watching.
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