AFCON 2025: Complete Guide to Dates, Morocco Venues, Groups, Fixtures & Qualified Teams

The TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026 – the first time Africa’s premier football tournament spans the Christmas and New Year period. Hosted across six Moroccan cities with nine world-class stadiums, this 35th edition features 24 qualified nations battling for continental glory. Morocco, awarded hosting rights in September 2023, aims to leverage home advantage after their impressive 2022 World Cup semi-final run.​

Originally planned for summer to minimize club disruptions, AFCON 2025 was rescheduled due to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup. Guinea lost hosting rights in 2022 over inadequate infrastructure, paving the way for Morocco – their second time staging the event since 1988.​

AFCON 2025 Dates & Tournament Format

Key Dates:

• Opening Match: December 21, 2025 – Morocco vs Comoros (20:00 local time)

• Group Stage: December 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026

• Round of 16: January 4-7, 2026

• Quarterfinals: January 10-11, 2026

• Semifinals: January 14-15, 2026

• Third-Place Match: January 17, 2026

• Final: January 18, 2026 (20:00) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat​

The format remains familiar: 24 teams in six groups of four. Top two teams per group advance automatically, joined by the four best third-placed sides (36 matches total). Single-elimination knockouts follow, culminating in the final showdown.​

Morocco’s World-Class AFCON 2025 Stadiums & Host Cities

Morocco invested over $1 billion in upgrades, transforming nine venues across Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fès to CAF/FIFA standards. These stadiums boast hybrid pitches, solar power, water recycling, and advanced safety systems.​

Key Venues:

• Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat): 69,500 capacity. Hosts opening match, key group games, knockouts, and final. Features sustainable tech.​

• Ibn Batouta Stadium (Tangier): 75,600 seats – Morocco’s largest. Named after explorer Ibn Battuta.​

• Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca): 67,000 capacity. Historic “Donor” stadium, refurbished with hybrid grass.​

• Grand Stade de Marrakech: Iconic tourist-city arena for major fixtures.​

• Grand Stade d’Agadir: 45,480 seats on the Atlantic coast.​

• Others: Stade Adrar, Complexe Sportif de Fès, and more in Rabat/Casablanca hubs.​

Rabat serves as the tournament epicenter with four stadiums, while Casablanca’s football heritage shines through Stade Mohammed V.​

Complete List of AFCON 2025 Qualified Teams

All 24 teams are confirmed after intense qualifiers. Reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire defend their title, while hosts Morocco lead a star-studded field including Egypt’s record seven-time winners and Nigeria’s Super Eagles.​

Full Qualified Teams:

• Algeria

• Angola

• Benin Republic

• Botswana

• Burkina Faso

• Cameroon

• Comoros

• Côte d’Ivoire (Defending Champions)

• DR Congo

• Egypt

• Equatorial Guinea

• Gabon

• Mali

• Morocco (Hosts)

• Nigeria

• Senegal

• South Africa

• Sudan

• Tanzania

• Tunisia

• Uganda

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

• Mozambique​

Debutants like Botswana and Mozambique add excitement, while powerhouses like Senegal (2021 winners) and Cameroon (five-time champions) promise drama.​

AFCON 2025 Groups: Full Breakdown

The draw created mouthwatering matchups. Hosts Morocco face a tough Group A, while Nigeria meets rivals Tunisia in Group C.​

Group Highlights:

• Group A: Morocco’s home opener vs Comoros (Dec 21, Rabat), then Mali and Zambia.​

• Group B: Egypt vs South Africa rivalry reignites.

• Group C: Nigeria’s Super Eagles vs Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage.

• Group D: Senegal (AFCON 2021 champs) vs resurgent DR Congo.

• Group E: Algeria seeks redemption after early 2023 exit.

• Group F: Defending champs Côte d’Ivoire vs Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions.​

Select AFCON 2025 Fixtures & Schedule Highlights

Group Stage Kickoffs:

• Dec 21: Morocco vs Comoros (20:00, Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat) – Tournament opener!​

• Dec 26: Morocco vs Mali (21:00, Rabat)​

• Dec 29: Zambia vs Morocco (20:00, Rabat)​

Knockout Fixtures:

• Jan 4: 2nd Group B vs 2nd Group F (20:00, Rabat Round of 16)​

• Full schedule available via CAF and ESPN, with kickoffs mostly 20:00-21:00 local time.​

Tickets are on sale via CAF’s platform, with high demand for Rabat and Casablanca games. Broadcast globally on beIN Sports, SuperSport, and local networks.​

Why AFCON 2025 in Morocco Matters: Historical Context & Impact

AFCON, launched in 1957, crowns Africa’s elite. Morocco’s 2025 edition coincides with their 2030 World Cup co-hosting bid, showcasing infrastructure like the futuristic Prince Moulay Abdellah.​

Hosting Journey:

• Guinea stripped in 2022 for poor facilities.​

• Morocco confirmed January 2023, beating other bidders.​

• $1B+ upgrades position Morocco as Africa’s sports hub.​

Star Players to Watch:

• Morocco: Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat (post-World Cup stars)

• Nigeria: Victor Osimhen (Serie A star)

• Egypt: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool captain)

• Senegal: Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson

• Côte d’Ivoire: Simon Adingra, Sébastien Haller​

Tournament Stakes: Beyond glory, AFCON impacts club forms amid winter scheduling. Expect upsets from underdogs like Comoros or Botswana.​

How to Follow AFCON 2025: Streaming, Tickets & Predictions

Where to Watch:

• Live on CAF.tv, beIN Sports (MENA), Sky Sports (UK), SuperSport (Africa).

• Highlights on YouTube and official apps.​​

AFCON 2025 promises electric atmospheres in Morocco’s stadiums, fierce rivalries, and emerging talents. From Rabat’s opening roar to the January 18 final, Africa’s football passion takes center stage. Who will lift the trophy?​​