The countdown is on for the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. This will be the first time the continent’s biggest football tournament is played during the festive Christmas and New Year period.
Originally, the tournament was to be hosted by Guinea, but the West African nation was stripped of its hosting rights due to delays in infrastructure preparations. The decision paved the way for Morocco to step in and organise what promises to be a spectacular competition.
Côte d’Ivoire, who won the 2023 edition on home soil, will enter the tournament as defending champions.
Tournament Format
A total of 24 nations will compete in AFCON 2025, divided into six groups of four teams each. After the group stage, the top two teams from every group will progress to the Round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed teams. The knockout phase will then follow the familiar single-elimination format — with extra time and penalties used if necessary — through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final to crown Africa’s new champion.
The decision to hold the tournament in December and January has sparked some debate, particularly among European clubs. The new schedule overlaps with the Premier League’s busy festive period, and some players could miss the UEFA Champions League’s seventh matchday on 20 and 21 January, depending on their nation’s progress.
Opening Match
Hosts Morocco will kick off the tournament against Comoros on 21 December 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, marking the start of nearly a month of world-class African football.
The Groups
The 24 qualified nations are:
Group A: Morocco (hosts), 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: Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Host Cities and Venues
Matches will be spread across nine stadiums in six major Moroccan cities, reflecting the country’s strong footballing infrastructure and readiness to host Africa’s finest.
- Tangier: Ibn Batouta Stadium (75,000)
- Rabat: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (68,700), Moulay Hassan Stadium (22,000), Rabat Olympic Stadium (21,000), Al Barid Stadium (18,000)
- Agadir: Adrar Stadium (45,000)
- Casablanca: Stade Mohamed V (45,000)
- Fez: Fez Stadium (45,000)
- Marrakesh: Marrakesh Stadium (45,000)
Key Dates
The group stage will run from 21 to 31 December 2025, followed by the Round of 16 between 3 and 6 January 2026. The quarter-finals are scheduled for 9 and 10 January, the semi-finals for 14 January, and the third-place playoff on 17 January. The final will take place on 18 January 2026, bringing the curtain down on what is expected to be an unforgettable tournament.
How to Watch
Fans across Sub-Saharan Africa can follow all the action live on SuperSport and Canal+ Afrique, ensuring that the continent won’t miss a single goal, save, or moment of brilliance from AFCON 2025.
As the excitement builds, Morocco is gearing up to deliver one of the most memorable editions in AFCON history — a tournament that will blend festive cheer, African flair, and world-class football.
