The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Sunday in Morocco, launching an almost month-long festival of football that will showcase the continent's finest talent. Running from December 21 to January 18, the tournament will be staged across six cities—Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, and Tangier—with the final to be held at the newly renovated 69,500-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This edition marks the first AFCON held over the Christmas and New Year period and Morocco's second time as host, having previously staged the event in 1988.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Sunday in Morocco, launching an almost month-long festival of football that will showcase the continent's finest talent. Running from December 21 to January 18, the tournament will be staged across six cities—Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, and Tangier—with the final to be held at the newly renovated 69,500-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This edition marks the first AFCON held over the Christmas and New Year period and Morocco's second time as host, having previously staged the event in 1988.
The build-up has not been without controversy, as the host nation faced domestic criticism over the cost of preparations amid concerns about healthcare and youth unemployment. Despite these challenges, the Confederation of African Football confirmed Morocco would remain the host. As the continent's premier men's international tournament, held every two years since 1968, AFCON 2025 promises high drama, with Egypt—the most successful nation with seven titles—among the favorites aiming to lift the trophy.
The 24 qualified teams have been drawn into six groups of four. Hosts Morocco, Africa's highest-ranked side, will open the tournament against Comoros in Group A, which also includes Mali and Zambia. Group B features Egypt, Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, while Group C consists of Tunisia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Group D includes Senegal, DR Congo, Botswana, and Benin. Group E comprises Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. The final group, Group F, rounds out the competition with reigning champions Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
All eyes will be on Morocco, whose squad, filled with stars from Europe's top clubs, carries the dual burden of home expectation and a desire to improve on recent tournament disappointments. Reigning champions Ivory Coast, along with traditional powers like Nigeria, Senegal, and an Egypt side led by Mohamed Salah, are also under pressure to perform. Nations such as South Africa and DR Congo are considered potential dark horses, while Cameroon, Algeria, and Tunisia are expected to mount strong challenges in a tournament renowned for its unpredictability and passion.
