The stage is set for a spectacular celebration of African football as Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, featuring 24 nations, kicks off on 21 December 2025, with the host nation opening the competition against Comoros in Rabat.
Tournament Format and Host Nation
This will be the second time Morocco has staged the continental championship, having stepped in after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights due to concerns over infrastructure and facilities. The action will unfold across nine stadiums in six host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.
The 24 qualified teams have been drawn into six groups of four. The top two from each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage, joined by the best four third-placed nations, ensuring a fiercely competitive path to the final.
Group Stage Draw and Key Fixtures
All eyes will be on Group F, where holders Ivory Coast begin their title defence. The Elephants face a formidable challenge against Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Meanwhile, 2023 runners-up Nigeria headline Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The complete group draw is as follows:
- Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
- Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
- Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
- Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
- Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
- Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
The group stage runs from 21 to 31 December 2025, featuring a packed festive schedule. Key early matches include the heavyweight clash between Egypt and South Africa on 22 December and the tantalising meeting of Ivory Coast and Cameroon on 28 December.
Knockout Stages and Final
The round of 16 begins on 3 January 2026, with the quarter-finals scheduled for 14 January. After the semi-finals, the tournament culminates with the third-place play-off on 17 January and the grand final on 18 January 2026. The champion will be crowned at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
With a new host nation and the continent's finest talent on display, Afcon 2025 promises to be a month of unforgettable football drama, passion, and sporting excellence.
