Morocco's hosting this tournament, and it's looking to be an amazing show of top-tier football, cool culture, and plenty of exciting moments. Everyone in Morocco is still buzzing from their incredible run in the last World Cup, so that sets things up for something really special.
And for the first time ever, this competition will happen during the Christmas and New Year holidays. This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about AFCON 2025: the confirmed dates, the tournament format, all the qualified teams, a breakdown of the host cities and venues, and much more.
When and Where is AFCON 2025?
CAF changed its schedule for the 35th African Cup. It was supposed to be in the summer but got moved. This way, it won't clash with the bigger 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. So now, soccer fans around the world get a special mid-season treat.
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Official Tournament Dates: The AFCON 2025 tournament will kick off on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and conclude with the final on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Host Nation: Morocco is hosting the event by itself, which is only the second time they've done so. The first time was back in 1988.
Duration: The tournament will span 29 days of intense competition.
Opening Match: Morocco, as the host country, will kick off the first match on December 21, 2025, in Rabat.
Final: The big final is set for January 18, 2026, at Rabat's famous Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
This scheduling adjustment, while unusual, sets the stage for a spectacular celebration of Africa Cup of Nations football right in the middle of the global football season, ensuring all the continent's top stars are available to represent their countries.
The Host Cities and State-of-the-Art Stadiums
Morocco's getting ready to host 52 matches, spreading them out over six lively cities. They're using some of their best, most up-to-date stadiums, all revamped and ready to go. These venues, many of which are part of Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup bid, promise an electric atmosphere for the AFCON Cup.
Host City | Key Stadiums | Notes |
Rabat (Capital) | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Final Venue), Stade Al Barid, Stade Moulay El Hassan, Annexe Olympic Stadium | Hosts the Opening Match, one Semi-Final, and the Final. A major hub of the tournament. |
Casablanca (Economic Hub) | Stade Mohammed V | An historic and atmospheric venue. Will host key group matches and knockout ties. |
Tangier | Grand Stade de Tanger (Ibn Batouta Stadium) | One of the largest stadiums, hosts one Semi-Final. Known for its modern design and proximity to Europe. |
Marrakesh | Grand Stade de Marrakech | A major venue in the "Red City," hosting multiple group games and knockout fixtures. |
Agadir | Adrar Stadium | A modern, coastal stadium offering a beautiful backdrop for group stage matches. |
Fez | Complexe Sportif de Fes | Blends traditional Moroccan architecture with modern facilities, hosting several group fixtures. |
Spreading the games across these six spots means fans traveling from out of town and even just folks who like to watch can really soak in all the different sides of Moroccan culture. You've got the lively coast in Agadir, then you can check out the old, historic markets of Fez and Marrakesh.
Group Stage & Knockout Rounds
The AFCON 2025 competition maintains the 24-team format introduced in 2019, which has consistently delivered competitive group stages and dramatic outcomes. There will be 52 matches played in the tournament.
Group Stage (December 21 – December 31, 2025)
The 24 qualified nations are divided into six groups of four (Groups A to F).
Round-Robin: Each team plays the other three teams in their group once.
Advancement: The two best teams from each of the six groups go straight to the next round.
Best Third-Placed Teams: Then you have the four best third-place teams from all six groups, making it 16 teams total in the next round.
This setup means even teams in third place still have a real shot at moving on, which makes the last group games super intense and fun to watch.
Knockout Rounds (January 3 – January 18, 2026)
After that, it's a knockout stage where you mess up once, and you're out.
Round of 16 (January 3 – January 6): The 16 qualifying teams battle for a spot in the Quarter-Finals.
Quarter-Finals (January 9 – January 10): The eight remaining teams face off.
Semi-Finals (January 14): The four strongest sides compete for a place in the Final.
Third-Place Play-off (January 17): A match to determine the third and fourth-placed teams.
Final (January 18): The two best teams in Africa compete for the coveted Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title.
The Qualified Teams
After a tough qualifying round, 24 countries are headed to Morocco to compete. You've got the home team, the current champs, and a bunch of other strong teams from different continents, so it's shaping up to be a really good tournament.
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The Groups and Key Contenders
Here is the breakdown of the six groups that will compete in AFCON 2025:
Group | Teams | Key Contenders |
Group A | Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros | Morocco (Hosts, World Cup Semi-Finalists) and Mali (always a formidable tournament team). |
Group B | Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe | Egypt (Record seven-time winners) and South Africa (The Bafana Bafana are looking to impress). |
Group C | Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania | Nigeria (A strong squad aiming for a fourth title) and Tunisia (The 2004 champions are consistently competitive). |
Group D | Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana | Senegal (The 2021 champions are always a favourite) and DR Congo (Two-time winners with a vibrant footballing culture). |
Group E | Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan | Algeria (Two-time champions) and Burkina Faso (Runners-up in 2013). |
Group F | Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique | Côte d’Ivoire (Defending champions and host of the 2023 edition) and Cameroon (Five-time winners, the Indomitable Lions). |
Full List of Qualified Teams for AFCON 2025 (by Qualification)
The following 24 teams represent the pinnacle of AFCON football talent:
Morocco (Hosts, Champions 1976)
Côte d’Ivoire (Defending Champions, Winners 1992, 2015, 2023)
Egypt (Record 7-time Champions)
Cameroon (5-time Champions)
Nigeria (3-time Champions)
Algeria (2-time Champions)
Senegal (2021 Champions)
DR Congo (2-time Champions)
Tunisia (2004 Champions)
South Africa (1996 Champions)
Zambia (2012 Champions)
Mali
Burkina Faso
Angola
Gabon
Equatorial Guinea
Uganda
Comoros
Zimbabwe
Sudan
Benin
Tanzania
Botswana
Mozambique
Ghana, a four-time winner, and perennial qualifiers like Guinea and Cape Verde were among the high-profile teams that failed to secure a spot for this edition of the AFCON 2025.
AFCON 2025 Qualification Details
The teams battled it out from early to late 2024 to grab one of the 23 spots. Morocco got in automatically since they're hosting.
The Structure
The qualification was structured in two main stages:
Preliminary Round: The eight teams at the bottom squared off in a home-and-away playoff. The four teams that won moved on to the next round.
Group Stage: The 44 teams getting a bye, along with the four teams that won their preliminary games, were split into 12 groups of four. Every team in each group played each other twice. The top two teams from each group qualified for AFCON 2025, with the exception of the host's group (Morocco was officially in Group B, but their results didn't count towards qualification for the other teams in that group, meaning the winner and runner-up still qualified).
The qualifying rounds were tough, happening during breaks in the regular season. This really shows how much football has grown in Africa. You can see big teams and smaller ones are getting closer in skill, with teams like Comoros and Botswana making their mark.
Players and Teams to Watch at AFCON 2025
Every Africa Cup of Nations tournament is defined by the players who shine on the grand stage. AFCON 2025 will be no different, featuring some of the world's most talented footballers.
Host Nation Hopes: Morocco
After their unprecedented run to the World Cup semi-finals, the pressure on the AFCON 2025 host nation is immense. They possess a "golden generation" of players:
Achraf Hakimi: The wide player for Paris Saint-Germain, who's always pushing forward, is a huge name around the world and super important for their offense.
Yassine Bounou: The experienced goalie was a big reason they won the World Cup.
Hakim Ziyech: A creative force who can unlock defences with a moment of magic.
En-Nesyri: Their clinical striker.
Morocco only won this tournament once, way back in 1976. If they could win it at home now, it would really show how good their team is. They are arguably the pre-tournament favourites to lift the AFCON Cup.
The Reigning Champions
Ivory Coast's elephants really surprised everyone by winning the last one at home. Now they're heading to Morocco with a mix of seasoned players and fresh faces, hoping to win again. Guys like Sébastien Haller and Franck Kessié are going to be super important for them.
The Powerhouses and Dark Horses
Senegal: The 2021 champions remain a formidable force. With Sadio Mané still a talismanic figure and a solid defensive foundation, they are a major contender to win the AFCON 2025 title.
Nigeria: The Super Eagles boast immense individual talent, especially in attack. Victor Osimhen, if fit, is one of the most feared strikers in world Africa Cup of Nations football. They'll win if they play good defense and stick to their plan.
Egypt: The Pharaohs, led by the legendary Mohamed Salah, have the most titles but have struggled to recapture their dominance in recent years. However, their experience in knockout tournaments makes them dangerous.
Algeria: These two-time champs are known for being both stylish and tough. They're definitely looking to bounce back after a rough 2023 season.
Dark Horse – Mali: Lots of people don't give Mali enough credit, but they're a really consistent team with a solid group of players who play in Europe. They can totally handle a tough group and go far in the tournament.
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Key Matchdays and AFCON 2025 Fixtures Highlights
Just focus on the key dates and the best group stage games. This tournament runs from early December 2025 to January 2026, which is kind of unusual, so getting your plans sorted early is a big help.
Group Stage Matches to Mark on Your Calendar:
December 21, 2025: Morocco vs. Comoros (Group A, Opening Match) – The hosts kick off the tournament with immense pressure.
December 26, 2025: Egypt vs. South Africa (Group B) – A clash of Southern and North African giants, always a high-stakes, tactical battle.
December 27, 2025: Nigeria vs. Tunisia (Group C) – A West vs. North African rivalry that promises intensity and high quality.
December 28, 2025: Côte d'Ivoire vs. Cameroon (Group F) – A meeting of titans. The defending champions take on the five-time winners in an early litmus test for both.
Knockout Round Schedule:
The real drama begins in the New Year. The AFCON 2025 knockout stage will be a brutal and exhilarating test of nerve and fitness.
January 3 – January 6, 2026: Round of 16 – The moment where 16 becomes 8. Expect upsets as the four best third-placed teams often prove their worth.
January 9 – January 10, 2026: Quarter-Finals – The best of the best fight for a Semi-Final spot.
January 14, 2026: Semi-Finals – The matches that determine who plays for the title at the AFCON 2025 final.
January 18, 2026: The Grand Final in Rabat.
Because this winter schedule lands smack in the middle of the European club season, some big-name players will be juggling their club duties until right before the December 15, 2025 release date. That's going to make the first few group games pretty interesting.
Predictions and The Road to the Final
It’s impossible to discuss AFCON 2025 without considering who will ultimately lift the trophy. Because the tournament is in the middle of the season, it's really hard to guess what will happen. A lot could depend on how fit the players are and if European clubs are okay with letting their star players go early.
Potential Winners
Morocco: Playing at home, with a great team and a chance to win their first AFCON title in almost 50 years, makes them the favorite.
Senegal: This team has the best players and they're really well-coached. They've already shown they can win, and they're super keen to get that title back.
Nigeria: Their offense is really something else. If they can just sort out their strategy, they definitely have enough good players to win it all.
The Group of Death?
Group F, with current champions Côte d’Ivoire, five-time winners Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique, looks like it's going to be the toughest—and most exciting—one to watch. The clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon will be a must-watch AFCON 2025 spectacle. Expect at least one major contender to struggle in this group.
The Legacy of AFCON 2025
No matter who wins, this tournament is a big deal for Moroccan football. It's also a good way to see if their facilities are ready for the 2030 World Cup. The success of AFCON 2025 will solidify Morocco’s standing as a world-class football host.
Teams from smaller countries, such as Comoros and Botswana, keep showing just how much talent there is now all over Africa. Get ready for a huge sports show! Everyone will be watching Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, to see all the action, heart, and thrill that only the Africa Cup of Nations brings. Get ready for the AFCON 2025!
People Also Ask About AFCON 2025
This year's Afcon will have 24 teams, split into six groups of four. Here's how they stack up: Group A has Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Then there's Group B with Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. And finally, Group C includes Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Six players to watch at Afcon 2025, Azzedine Ounahi (midfielder, Morocco), Mohamed Amoura (striker, Algeria), Victor Osimhem (striker, Nigeria), Ibrahim Mbaye (forward, Senegal), Rogers Mato (forward, Uganda), Reinildo (defender, Mozambique)
All 24 teams that made it this year have played in the tournament before.
Ghana's out of AFCON 2025. They're four-time African champs, and this is the first time they'll miss it since way back in 2004. Big surprise there.
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