The stage is set for a thrilling and dramatic Africa Cup of Nations as the 35th edition of the continental championship kicks off in Morocco this Sunday. With the hosts carrying the weight of a nation's expectation and several heavyweight nations in crisis, the tournament promises unpredictability and high drama from the first whistle in Rabat.
Tournament Overview and Key Dates
The tournament opener sees hosts Morocco take on Comoros in Rabat on Sunday 21 December at 7pm. The group stages will run until Wednesday 31 December, with the knockout rounds beginning on Saturday 3 January. The final is scheduled for Sunday 18 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where a new champion will be crowned or the reigning title-holders will retain their crown.
Ivory Coast enter as defending champions following their remarkable 2023 victory on home soil, a campaign where they sacked their manager mid-tournament and rallied from the brink of group-stage elimination to beat Nigeria in the final. The question on everyone's lips is whether such history can repeat itself.
Controversy and Contenders: The Build-Up to AFCON
Once again, the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations has become a major talking point, squeezed by the relentless expansion of the club football calendar. The tournament was forced from its summer slot by the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in July, while the conclusion of the Champions League league phase in January prompted an earlier kick-off, meaning the competition will be played over the Christmas period.
This has caused significant discontent among national teams, exacerbated by a sudden change to the player release date. The mandatory release date for players was reduced by seven days, now falling less than a week before the opening game. This mirrors the situation before the 2022 World Cup and has left coaches with precious little preparation time, though it may mean players arrive sharp from their European club commitments.
Morocco are the pre-tournament favourites, buoyed by their historic run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and the prospect of a formidable home advantage. However, manager Walid Regragui is under immense pressure to deliver their first AFCON title since 1976, especially after a last-16 exit at the last tournament.
The beauty of AFCON lies in its openness. Half of the 24 competing nations are former champions, including recent winners like Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, and Nigeria, making the field fiercely competitive and unpredictable.
Must-Watch Games and Teams in Focus
The group stage is packed with tantalising fixtures that could define the tournament. All eyes will be on the hosts in the opener, with Morocco hoping PSG star Achraf Hakimi recovers from an ankle injury in time. They are bolstered by the inclusion of Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz, who will make his AFCON debut after switching allegiance from Spain.
Group B features a Boxing Day blockbuster between Egypt and South Africa. Mohamed Salah will be fiercely motivated to finally win the one major trophy missing from his illustrious career with the Pharaohs, the competition's most successful side with seven titles.
Nigeria, still reeling from a second consecutive World Cup qualification failure, face a crucial test against Tunisia. Despite their talented squad featuring Victor Osimhen, the pressure is immense on coach Eric Chelle after his controversial comments following their play-off defeat to DR Congo.
DR Congo themselves are dark horses, having beaten Cameroon and Nigeria to keep their World Cup dream alive. They face a stern opening test against 2022 champions Senegal, who boast an array of attacking talent including the legendary Sadio Mané.
Perhaps the most poignant story belongs to Sudan. Amid a devastating civil war and humanitarian crisis at home, they remarkably qualified for the tournament, playing their 'home' games in Libya and taking crucial points off Ghana. Their opening match against Algeria will be a powerful moment.
In Group F, a heavyweight clash sees defending champions Ivory Coast, potentially without the injured Sébastien Haller but with Wilfried Zaha returning, take on a Cameroon side in chaos. The Indomitable Lions sacked coach Marc Brys just three weeks before the tournament and controversially omitted captain Vincent Aboubakar and goalkeeper André Onana.
Every match of AFCON 2025 will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 4, across its main channel, E4, 4Seven, or via its streaming service and YouTube channel, ensuring fans don't miss a moment of the action.
