The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has kicked off in Morocco, with 24 nations embarking on a quest for continental glory over the festive period. The tournament, hosted across six Moroccan cities, sees the defending champions, Ivory Coast, begin their title defence in a challenging group.
Tournament Format and Host Nation
Morocco is staging the prestigious competition for the second time in its history, having stepped in after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights due to concerns over infrastructure readiness. The action is spread across nine stadiums in the host cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.
The 24 competing teams have been divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage. They will be joined by the four best third-placed nations, making for a 16-team knockout phase.
Group Stage Analysis and Key Fixtures
The group stage presents several intriguing battles. In Group F, the holders Ivory Coast face a stern test against continental giants Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Meanwhile, in Group C, Nigeria, who were runners-up in 2023, will contend with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The host nation, Morocco, finds itself in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Other notable groups include Group B, featuring heavyweights Egypt and South Africa, and Group D with Senegal and DR Congo.
The match schedule is packed, with the opening round of group games concluding on Christmas Eve. Key fixtures include the heavyweight clash between Ivory Coast and Cameroon on December 28th, and the host nation Morocco's marquee match against Mali on December 26th.
Knockout Roadmap and Current Standings
The tournament progresses swiftly, with the round of 16 commencing on January 3rd, 2026. The quarter-finals are scheduled for January 14th, leading to the semi-finals on January 18th. The third-place play-off and final will then decide the champion.
As the action unfolds, the group tables are taking shape. Early results have seen strong starts for several favourites. In Group A, Morocco began with a victory, while Group B saw Egypt and South Africa secure opening wins. Senegal made a powerful statement in Group D with a commanding victory.
All eyes will be on whether Ivory Coast can navigate their difficult group and mount a successful defence, or if a new champion will be crowned in Morocco come January.
