Morocco Gears Up to Host Africa’s Biggest Football Celebration

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting continental football tournaments, hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This highly anticipated event will showcase 24 of Africa’s top national teams competing for football supremacy across six vibrant Moroccan cities.

Theme and Vision

AFCON 2025 embraces the theme of unity through football, celebrating Africa’s extraordinary talent and diverse football cultures. The tournament aims to inspire pride, passion, and togetherness across the continent while also promoting Morocco’s rich heritage, hospitality, and sporting infrastructure.

Venue and Host Cities

Morocco will host the tournament in six cities, utilizing world-class stadiums to accommodate thousands of fans:

• Rabat (Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah and Stade Olympique de Rabat)
• Casablanca (Stade Mohamed V)
• Marrakech (Stade de Marrakech)
• Agadir (Le Grand Stade Agadir)
• Tangier (Stade Ibn-Batouta)
• Fes (Complexe Sportif de Fès)

These cities were selected for their football tradition, infrastructure, and ability to deliver an electrifying atmosphere for players and supporters alike.

Qualifying Teams

A total of 24 teams qualified for AFCON 2025 through gruelling matches in the qualification rounds. The teams are split into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the main tournament. Highlighted qualified nations include:

• Morocco (host)
• Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire
• African giants like Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, and South Africa

The full list includes Mali, Zambia, Comoros, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania, Algeria, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Mozambique, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana, and others, reflecting a broad representation of African football powerhouses and emerging teams.

Tournament Groups

The groups for the tournament are as follows:

• 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, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea
• Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabon

Schedule and Match Highlights

The opening match will kick off on December 21, 2025, with Morocco facing Comoros in Rabat. The tournament will run for nearly a month, culminating in a thrilling final on January 18, 2026, that promises to crown the kings of African football.

Key group stage matches will provide pivotal showdowns, such as Egypt vs. South Africa, Nigeria vs. Tunisia, and Côte d’Ivoire vs. Cameroon. Matches will be played primarily in afternoon and evening slots to maximize fan engagement across Africa and globally.

Significance of AFCON 2025

AFCON 2025 represents more than just a football tournament; it is a unifying force for Africa, showcasing the continent’s passion for the game and promoting cultural exchange. For Morocco, it is an opportunity to display its world-class sporting venues and hospitality on a global stage.

The tournament is also a platform for emerging talents to shine and for established stars to cement their legacies.