The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has officially kicked off in Morocco, bringing together the continent’s top football talent for a festive season of thrilling matches. The tournament opened on Sunday, December 21, with the hosts Morocco taking on Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The Atlas Lions secured a confident 2-0 victory, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive championship.
As Africa’s highest-ranked nation at 11th in the world, Morocco faces high expectations but remains hungry for its first Afcon title since 1976. Meanwhile, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah is hoping to lead his team to a record-extending eighth continental title, having finished as runner-up in both the 2017 and 2021 editions.
Afcon 2025 Groups and Key Matchups
The 24 participating teams are divided into six groups of four, ensuring exciting matchups across the continent. The hosts Morocco are in Group A alongside Mali, Comoros, and 2012 champions Zambia. Group B features Egypt against South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, while Group C includes East African representation with Uganda and Tanzania facing Nigeria and Tunisia. Group D offers a tantalizing clash between Senegal and DR Congo, and Group F features defending champions Ivory Coast against five-time winners Cameroon. Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan complete Group E.
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 tournament format allows the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams to advance to the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the grand final.
Afcon 2025 Match Schedule
Following the opening match, fans are treated to a packed group stage running until December 31. Matches are scheduled at 12:30, 15:00, 17:30, and 20:00 GMT, while the final round of group games will start at 16:00 or 19:00 GMT. The knockout phase begins on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with most fixtures at 16:00 and 19:00, culminating in the final at 19:00 GMT on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Tournament Venues Across Morocco
Morocco has invested heavily in modernizing stadiums for Afcon 2025, with nine venues across six host cities. Rabat alone features four stadiums, including the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Other key stadiums include Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Grande Stade de Tangier, and Grande Stade de Marrakech, ensuring top-tier facilities for players and fans alike.
Favourite Teams and Contenders
Morocco enters as a strong favourite, riding an 18-game unbeaten streak that spans 20 months, with 50 goals scored and only four conceded. Senegal, the 2021 champions, also bring impressive form, having recently defeated Kenya 8-0 after a narrow loss to Brazil. Algeria, Egypt, and Ivory Coast remain strong contenders, with DR Congo also showing promise after successful World Cup qualifiers. Despite this, the Afcon’s history of seven different winners in the past eight editions suggests surprises are always possible.
Key Fixtures to Watch
The tournament features several high-profile clashes, including Morocco vs Mali, Egypt vs South Africa, Nigeria vs Tunisia, and Ivory Coast vs Cameroon. Fans can expect a festive football feast, with multiple daily matches ensuring continuous action and plenty of drama leading up to the knockout rounds.
Afcon 2025 promises an unforgettable celebration of African football, combining top-level competition, vibrant venues, and passionate fans across Morocco.
