African men’s football will experience a peak of intensity later this year with the arrival of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The group stage draw took place this week, and the participating teams now know their path to continental glory.
QUALIFIED TEAMS AND GROUPS
A total of 24 teams will compete for the continent’s most prestigious title. Among the standout teams are the defending champions, Ivory Coast, the seven-time winners Egypt, and the hosts, Morocco, who arrive with momentum after winning bronze in the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The teams have been divided into six groups of four, with home and away matches in the group stage. The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the knockout stage, while the four best third-placed teams will complete the round of 16. The groups 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, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana.
- GROUP E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan.
- GROUP F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND MATCH SCHEDULE
The tournament will begin on December 21, 2025, with the opening match between Morocco and Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Over four weeks, six Moroccan cities will host the matches, offering an unprecedented football spectacle in North Africa.
The group stage will run until early January, followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final on January 18, 2026.
FAVORITES AND POTENTIAL SURPRISES
Morocco, as the host and one of the strongest teams on the continent, is one of the top favorites. However, teams like Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal also arrive with clear ambitions to lift the trophy. Teams such as Mali and Burkina Faso should not be underestimated, as they could deliver surprises in this edition.