The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is underway, with Morocco proudly hosting the continent’s premier football spectacle for the second time. Twenty-four nations are vying for continental glory across various Moroccan cities, with the tournament kicking off on December 24, 2025, and culminating in the grand final on January 18, 2026. This highly anticipated event brings together Africa’s best, promising weeks of intense competition and captivating football action.
Morocco stepped in as host after Guinea was stripped of its staging rights due to persistent concerns over infrastructure and facilities. The North African nation has mobilized six of its major cities – Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier – to welcome teams and fans, utilising nine state-of-the-art stadiums. This swift transition underscores Morocco’s commitment and capability to deliver a world-class sporting event.
The tournament structure sees the 24 participating teams divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group will automatically progress to the knockout phase, alongside the four best third-placed nations, ensuring a highly competitive group stage. Key matchups are already emerging, with defending champions Ivory Coast facing a challenging Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Last tournament’s finalists, Nigeria, find themselves in Group C, battling Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Early results have already begun to shape the narrative. In Group A, hosts Morocco secured a decisive 2-0 victory over Comoros, while Mali and Zambia played out a 1-1 draw, leaving Morocco at the top. Group B also saw early action, with Egypt edging past Zimbabwe 2-1 and South Africa claiming a narrow 2-1 win against Angola, positioning both as early leaders in their respective standings.
Group C witnessed strong starts from its top contenders, as Tunisia dispatched Uganda with a convincing 3-1 scoreline, and Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory over Tanzania, setting up an intriguing battle for the top spot. Over in Group D, Senegal demonstrated their prowess with a commanding 3-0 triumph against Botswana, while DR Congo registered a tight 1-0 win over Benin, marking their intentions early in the competition.
As the group stage progresses, the stakes will intensify. Groups E and F are poised to begin their campaigns, with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan comprising Group E, while Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique complete Group F. These opening fixtures, including Burkina Faso against Equatorial Guinea and Algeria facing Sudan on December 24, will be crucial in setting the early tone for these highly competitive groups.
The upcoming fixture list promises several high-profile clashes that could define qualification hopes. On December 28, the much-anticipated encounter between defending champions Ivory Coast and continental powerhouse Cameroon will undoubtedly be a highlight. Similarly, Algeria’s clash with Burkina Faso on the same day will be a pivotal match, potentially determining leadership in Group E and shaping the path to the knockout rounds.
Further group stage battles, including Zambia versus Morocco and Uganda against Nigeria on December 29 and 30 respectively, will continue to unfold, with teams fighting for every point. The race for the best third-placed spots will also be fiercely contested, adding an extra layer of drama as teams navigate challenging schedules and competitive opponents in pursuit of a place in the Round of 16.
The tournament then transitions into the high-stakes knockout phase, beginning with the Round of 16 on January 3, 2026. Quarter-final matches are scheduled for January 9-10, leading to the semi-finals on January 14. The battle for third place will take place on January 17, culminating in the grand final on January 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, where a new African champion will be crowned.
With top teams like Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria also in contention, alongside the determined host nation Morocco, AFCON 2025 is set to be a showcase of African football talent and passion. The blend of established powerhouses and ambitious underdogs ensures a dynamic tournament, offering thrilling moments and unforgettable performances on the pitches of Morocco.
