The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is set to deliver one of the most anticipated tournaments in African football history, with Morocco confirmed as the host nation. The competition will run from December 2025 to January 2026, marking a significant shift from AFCON’s traditional mid-year schedule.
This edition will be the first AFCON played during the Christmas and New Year period, drawing global attention from fans and clubs alike.
AFCON 2025 Dates and Format
AFCON 2025 will feature 24 teams divided into six groups of four. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
The tournament will include the group stage, the Round of 16, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place playoff, and the final scheduled for January 2026.
AFCON 2025 Fixtures: What We Know So Far
CAF has confirmed that the opening match will feature host nation Morocco. Matches will be played across multiple cities in Morocco, with the final set to take place in Rabat.
The action kicks off with the hosts on the opening day:
Sunday, 21 December 2025
- 7:00 PM GMT: Morocco vs Comoros (Group A, Rabat)
Monday, 22 December 2025
- 2:00 PM GMT: Mali vs Zambia (Group A, Casablanca)
- 5:00 PM GMT: South Africa vs Angola (Group B, Marrakesh)
- 8:00 PM GMT: Egypt vs Zimbabwe (Group B, Agadir)
Tuesday, 23 December 2025
- 12:30 PM GMT: DR Congo vs Benin (Group D, Rabat)
- 3:00 PM GMT: Senegal vs Botswana (Group D, Tangier)
- 5:30 PM GMT: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Group C, Fez)
- 8:00 PM GMT: Tunisia vs Uganda (Group C, Rabat)
Wednesday, 24 December 2025
- 12:30 PM GMT: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea (Group E, Casablanca)
- 3:00 PM GMT: Algeria vs Sudan (Group E, Rabat)
- 5:30 PM GMT: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Group F, Marrakesh)
- 8:00 PM GMT: Cameroon vs Gabon (Group F, Agadir)
Teams to Watch at AFCON 2025
Defending champions Ivory Coast return aiming to retain their title, while Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, and hosts Morocco are all expected to be strong contenders. With African football talent spread across top European leagues, competition is expected to be fierce.
Why AFCON 2025 Will Be Different
AFCON 2025 will be the first edition played during the festive season, hosted in a country with modern, World Cup-ready infrastructure. Increased global broadcast coverage and strong international interest are expected to elevate the tournament’s profile.
