Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with 24 national teams preparing to compete for continental glory. The tournament will commence on December 21, 2025, with the host nation, Morocco, facing Comoros in the opening match at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat. This marks Morocco’s second time staging the prestigious football event.

The expanded 24-team format sees nations divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages. Defending champions Ivory Coast find themselves in a challenging Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Meanwhile, Nigeria, the runners-up from the previous tournament, are drawn in Group C with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Morocco was awarded hosting rights after Guinea was stripped of its staging duties due to concerns regarding infrastructure and facility readiness. The tournament will be spread across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier. These venues are poised to host a month of intense football action.

The group stage matches are scheduled to begin on December 21, 2025, and will run through December 31, 2025. The knockout phase will commence with the Round of 16 matches starting on January 3, 2026. The tournament will culminate with the final match scheduled for January 18, 2026, at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.

Fans can anticipate a thrilling schedule, with multiple matches daily during the group stages. All match times are listed in GMT. Key encounters include the opening match, as well as significant group clashes that will shape the path to the knockout rounds. The full fixture list details every game from the opening ceremony to the grand finale.

Notable group pairings include the reigning champions Ivory Coast facing strong opposition, and Nigeria aiming to go one step further this time. The schedule provides a comprehensive overview for supporters eager to follow their national teams throughout the competition. The tournament promises to showcase the best of African football talent.

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