The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to commence in Morocco on December 21, 2025, bringing together 24 of the continent’s top national teams to compete for the prestigious title. This marks the second occasion Morocco has hosted the biennial tournament, stepping in after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights due to persistent concerns over infrastructure and readiness. The month-long football spectacle, culminating in the final on January 18, 2026, promises thrilling encounters across six vibrant host cities.

Twenty-four participating nations have been meticulously divided into six groups, each comprising four teams, for the initial stage of the competition. The path to the knockout rounds is clear: the winners and runners-up from each group will automatically secure their places in the Round of 16. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams across all groups will also advance, ensuring a highly competitive group stage where every point could prove crucial for progression.

Defending champions Ivory Coast face a challenging Group F, where they will contend with formidable opponents Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique in their quest to retain the coveted trophy. Last tournament’s beaten finalists, Nigeria, find themselves in Group C, poised for intense clashes against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Host nation Morocco, aiming for continental glory on home soil, anchors Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, setting the stage for an exciting opening phase.

Morocco’s selection as the replacement host underscores its robust sporting infrastructure and commitment to delivering a world-class event. The decision to relocate the tournament from Guinea followed extensive evaluations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which highlighted significant deficiencies in the original host’s facilities. Morocco will utilise nine state-of-the-art stadiums spread across six major cities: the capital Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier, each prepared to welcome thousands of fans.

The tournament kicks off with a highly anticipated match between host Morocco and Comoros on December 21, 2025, at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat. Early group stage fixtures also feature Mali against Zambia and South Africa facing Angola on December 22, setting an immediate competitive tone. The initial phase will see teams battling through three intense matchdays, with crucial points determining their fate and potential progression to the knockout stages.

Notable encounters during the group stage include Egypt battling South Africa on December 26, and a high-stakes clash between Nigeria and Tunisia on December 27, both of which could be pivotal in shaping group standings. The final round of group matches, scheduled for December 29, 30, and 31, promises drama as teams vie for qualification, with several simultaneous kick-offs determining who advances and who exits the competition.

Following the conclusion of the group stage on New Year’s Eve, the tournament transitions into the unforgiving knockout phase, beginning with the Round of 16 matches from January 3 to January 6, 2026. These single-elimination games will pit the top teams against each other in a series of do-or-die contests, intensifying the competition as the field narrows down significantly.

The victors of the Round of 16 will then advance to the Quarterfinals, scheduled for January 9 and 10, where the stakes will be even higher, and tactical prowess becomes paramount. These matches will determine the four teams that proceed to the Semifinals on January 14. The path to ultimate glory will then see the two triumphant semifinalists earn their spot in the grand final, with a third-place playoff also scheduled.

The climax of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will unfold on January 18, 2026, when the two remaining titans of African football clash in the final match. While the specific venue for this monumental encounter is yet to be definitively confirmed, it is expected to be held in one of Morocco’s premier stadiums, marking the culmination of weeks of intense competition and crowning the continent’s new champion.

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Keywords: Africa Cup of Nations 2025, AFCON 2025 schedule, Morocco football tournament, African football, Ivory Coast AFCON, Nigeria AFCON, AFCON groups, Football fixtures Africa