The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to bring the continent to a standstill as Morocco hosts the tournament from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. The opening match will feature the hosts, Morocco, against Comoros in Rabat.
Tournament format
AFCON 2025 will follow the 24-team format introduced in 2019. There will be six groups of four teams each. The top two teams in every group will qualify for the round of 16, where they will be joined by the four best third-placed teams. The knockout rounds will be played in single-leg ties, with matches decided by extra time and penalties if necessary.
Host cities and venues
Morocco will stage the tournament across six host cities, with Rabat serving as the main hub. Rabat will use four venues: Complex Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, which will host the opening match and the final, as well as Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, Stade El Barid and the Stade Annexe Olympique Complex Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.
The other host cities will each use one stadium. Casablanca will host matches at Stade Mohamed V. Tanger will use the Grand Stade de Tanger, the largest venue in the tournament with a 75,000-seat capacity. Marrakech will use the Grand Stade de Marrakech, Fès will host games at the Complexe Sportif de Fès and Agadir will use the Grand Stade d’Agadir. The final will be played on 18 January 2026 at the Complex Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Who are the favourites?
Morocco enter AFCON 2025 as the team to beat. Playing at home and in exceptional form, they have recorded 18 consecutive victories, a world record in international football, scoring 50 goals and conceding only four during that run. Their squad depth, consistency and home advantage make them the standout favourites.
Senegal, champions in 2021, remain strong contenders under coach Pape Thiaw. Despite a recent defeat to Brazil, they recovered immediately with an 8-0 victory over Kenya, demonstrating their quality. Their physical and organised style keeps them firmly in the title race.
Algeria and Egypt also come into the tournament with confidence after going unbeaten in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Egypt will once again rely heavily on Mohamed Salah’s leadership and goal-scoring ability. Ivory Coast, the defending champions, will also be formidable, bringing a balanced and experienced squad following their triumph on home soil.
DR Congo are among the teams considered capable of springing surprises. They enter the tournament with momentum after eliminating Cameroon and Nigeria in the World Cup play-offs. With seven different winners in the last eight editions, AFCON 2025 is expected to produce its usual share of unpredictability.
Players to watch
Achraf Hakimi remains Morocco’s most influential player and the reigning African Player of the Year. Although he is recovering from injury, he is expected to be fully fit in time for the tournament. His explosive pace, ability to break lines and control transitions make him one of the most dangerous wide players in Africa. Playing in front of home fans, he has the potential to deliver a historic tournament.
Mohamed Salah arrives at AFCON with a point to prove after a turbulent period at Liverpool. Egypt depend on his experience, creativity, leadership and goal threat. If he finds form, he has the ability to transform the competition and carry Egypt deep into the knockout stages.
Bryan Mbeumo has become Cameroon’s most reliable player amid instability in the national team. The Manchester United forward’s versatility, work rate and creativity make him essential to Cameroon’s hopes. His individual brilliance will be key to any meaningful campaign by the Indomitable Lions.
Groups
Group A: Morocco, 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: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
