Countdown to AFCON 2025 reaches 100 days

With just 100 days remaining until the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, anticipation is beginning to build across the continent.

The tournament, which will bring together Africa’s finest national teams, is expected to draw global attention as it showcases both established stars and emerging talent on one of football’s grandest stages.

The competition, scheduled to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, will mark the return of the continent’s premier tournament to Morocco for the first time in more than three decades.

The North African nation, known for its rich footballing culture and world-class stadiums, is preparing to deliver an edition that promises both spectacle and intensity.

For the 24 nations set to compete, the clock is now ticking.

Coaches are finalising tactical plans, while players fight for form and fitness to secure a place in their national squads.

Beyond the headline names such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez, the tournament is also expected to shine a spotlight on a new generation of African footballers ready to make their mark on the international stage.

The group stage draw, eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike, will soon determine the first hurdles for teams dreaming of continental glory.

The competition’s format remains unchanged: six groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed sides advancing to the knockout stages.

This structure has often provided high drama, with surprise packages frequently upsetting more fancied opponents.

AFCON 2025 arrives at a moment of growing strength for African football.

Several of the continent’s nations performed impressively during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Morocco famously reaching the semi-finals, the best performance by an African side in the history of the tournament.

That achievement has fuelled optimism that AFCON 2025 will showcase the continued rise of African teams in the global game.

For Morocco, the tournament also represents a unique opportunity.

Beyond the prestige of hosting, it will be a chance to demonstrate the country’s ability to stage major international competitions, strengthening its bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

As the countdown clock reaches the 100-day mark, excitement is building not only in Morocco but across the continent and beyond.

The Africa Cup of Nations has always been more than just a football competition; it is a celebration of culture, unity, and the passion that makes African football unique.

This December, the stage will be set once again for history to be written.