AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco: Full fixtures, groups and key players to watch

Africa's biggest football tournament is back, with Morocco set to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a rare year-end edition of the continental showpiece.

The competition, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 24 men’s national teams, bringing together the continent’s top footballing nations in what is expected to be one of the most competitive AFCON tournaments in recent history.

With the tournament kicking off in six days, here is everything you need to know about AFCON 2025, including key groups, match schedules, and the players and teams to watch as Africa’s top football nations battle for continental glory.

Key dates and tournament schedule

AFCON 2025 kicks off on December 21, with the group stage matches running through 31 December. The Round of 16 will take place from January 3 to 6, followed by the quarter-finals on January 9 and 10. The semi-finals are scheduled for January 14, the third-place play-off on January 17, and the final on January 18.

Clubs are expected to release their players by December 15, giving national teams just under a week to finalise preparations before the tournament begins.

Host cities and venues

The 35th edition of AFCON will be held across nine stadiums in six cities, the most ever for the tournament.

Rabat, Morocco’s capital, will host four of these venues, while other matches will be spread across Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier to maximise accessibility for fans across the country.

Groups and fixtures

The 24 teams are divided into six groups:

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

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• groups and key players to watch

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F: Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

The tournament opens with hosts Morocco facing Comoros, marking the start of the month-long competition.

Tournament format

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the Round of 16. This will be followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

A third-place play-off will be held between the losing semi-finalists. In knockout matches, if scores are level at the end of normal time, teams will play 30 minutes of extra time, and if necessary, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Teams and players to watch

Morocco, the host nation, carries the weight of expectation, with a squad many consider a golden generation. Captain Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, will be key as the North Africans chase their first AFCON title since 1976.

Nigeria, runners-up in the last tournament, will rely on stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to lead them to victory after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign.

Senegal brings experienced players such as Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gueye, combining a strong defence with World Cup experience.

Similarly, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire will look to Amad Diallo and coach Emerse Faé to repeat their winning performance.

North African giant Egypt is also chasing a first AFCON win since 2010, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush leading the attack.

Cameroon remains a strong team with Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo in charge up front, while South Africa, Algeria, and Tunisia could spring surprises against the favourites.

Why the tournament matters

With seven of Africa’s nine teams already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking part, AFCON 2025 will also serve as an important warm-up for next summer’s global tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Beyond competing for the continental crown, the event promises to showcase rising stars and create memorable moments that make African football so special.