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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will bring the continent’s top footballers to Morocco in a tournament held for the first time over Christmas and New Year. The competition begins on 21 December when Morocco faces Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 19:00 GMT.
Morocco, ranked 11th in the world and Africa’s highest-ranked national team, enters as the tournament favorite but has not lifted the trophy since 1976. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah seeks his first continental title, hoping to guide the Pharaohs to a record-extending 8th championship.
Below is everything confirmed so far — groups, schedule, venues, and release dates — based strictly on available facts.
Afcon 2025 Groups
The 24 qualifying teams have been placed into 6 groups of 4:
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
The top 2 teams from each group and the 4 best third‑place teams move to the Round of 16.
Tournament Format and Match Timing
The group stage runs from 21–31 December, followed by knockout rounds beginning 3 January.
Daily match times during the group stage:
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12:30 GMT
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15:00 GMT
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17:30 GMT
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20:00 GMT
The final takes place on 18 January at 19:00 GMT.
Venues for Afcon 2025
Morocco has renovated key stadiums ahead of both Afcon 2025 and its shared role in the 2030 World Cup.
9 stadiums across 6 cities will host matches:
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Rabat:
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (69,500)
Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Stadium (21,000)
Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan (22,000)
Stade El Barid (18,000) -
Agadir: Grande Stade d’Agadir (45,480)
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Fes: Complexe Sportif de Fes (45,000)
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Marrakech: Grande Stade de Marrakech (45,240)
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Casablanca: Stade Mohammed V (67,000)
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Tangier: Grande Stade de Tangier (68,000)
Player Release Controversy
FIFA has set 15 December as the mandatory release date for international players — 7 days later than the traditional pre‑tournament window.
Some African coaches have criticized the decision, calling it disruptive to preparation. European clubs may also negotiate case-by-case releases to keep players an additional 24 hours for league fixtures, though federations are not required to accept.
Who Are the Favorites?
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Morocco: On an unprecedented 18‑match winning streak, scoring 50 goals and conceding 4 since March 2024.
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Senegal: Strong form under Pape Thiaw, including an 8–0 win over Kenya.
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Algeria and Egypt: Both unbeaten in World Cup qualifying.
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Ivory Coast (holders): Look to defend their title.
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DR Congo: Riding high after beating Cameroon and Nigeria in World Cup play-offs.
Afcon’s recent history — 7 different winners in the last 8 editions — suggests the tournament may once again deliver unexpected contenders.
THE VOICE OF AFRICA’S INSIGHT
African football continues to show why the continent cannot be measured by the timelines or standards of older nations. Morocco’s investment, the rise of regional talent, and Afcon’s growing global audience reflect a simple truth: Africa’s story is still young, and its potential is expanding faster than anyone can predict.
As the tournament unfolds, it becomes more than competition. It is a reminder that Africa’s youth, creativity, and ambition are shaping a future where the continent stands firmly on its own terms — building, rising, and rewriting its place in the global game.