The footballing eyes of a continent will turn to North Africa this December as Morocco hosts the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The prestigious tournament, featuring 24 national teams, begins on 21 December 2025, with the host nation launching their campaign in the opening match.
Tournament Format and Host Nation
This marks the second time Morocco has staged the competition, having stepped in after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights due to concerns over infrastructure readiness. The event will be played across nine stadiums in six host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.
The 24 qualified teams have been drawn into six groups of four. The top two finishers from each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage. They will be joined by the four best third-placed teams, ensuring a competitive path to the latter rounds for many nations.
Group Stage Analysis and Key Fixtures
All eyes will be on Group F, where defending champions Ivory Coast face a formidable challenge. The Elephants, who triumphed on home soil two years ago, must navigate matches against perennial powerhouses Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique to keep their title defence alive.
Elsewhere, 2023 runners-up Nigeria headline Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Other notable groups see Egypt and South Africa paired in Group B, while North African rivals Algeria and Senegal lead Groups E and D respectively.
The tournament opener sees Morocco take on Comoros at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat at 7:00 PM GMT on Sunday, 21 December. The group stage runs through to New Year's Eve, with matches taking place throughout the day across the various host venues.
Knockout Stage and Road to the Final
The round of 16 begins on Saturday, 3 January 2026, with the final set for Sunday, 18 January 2026 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat. The knockout phase will determine which nation succeeds Ivory Coast and lifts the coveted trophy.
With a festive period schedule and matches spread across Morocco's major cities, Afcon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of African football, showcasing elite talent and intense regional rivalries on a grand stage.
