AFCON 2025: Morocco ready to deliver a spectacular tournament

The Confederation of African Football has reaffirmed its full confidence in Morocco’s ability to successfully host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, citing the country’s proven pedigree in staging major football events across the continent.

The North African nation previously hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship, the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, all of which were widely praised for their organisation and facilities.

Morocco last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988, an edition that featured just eight teams. The 2025 tournament will see 24 nations compete, highlighting the significant growth and progress of African football over the past three decades.

In the lead-up to AFCON 2025, CAF also highlighted Morocco’s world-class infrastructure as a major strength ahead of the tournament. Several top venues across the country are expected to be used, including the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, as well as stadiums in Tangier, Agadir, Marrakech and Fez. Many of these facilities are currently undergoing renovations to ensure they meet and exceed required competition standards.

According to CAF, Morocco’s modern infrastructure, passionate football supporters and extensive experience in hosting major sporting events position the country well to deliver an Africa Cup of Nations that could set new benchmarks for the tournament.

The tournament opens on Sunday, December 21, with Morocco taking on Comoros in Rabat at 7:00 PM GMT. Action continues on December 22 with Mali facing Zambia in Casablanca, South Africa meeting Angola in Marrakech and Egypt playing Zimbabwe in Agadir. December 23 will see DR Congo face Benin in Rabat, Senegal take on Botswana in Tangier, Nigeria clash with Tanzania in Fes and Tunisia play Uganda in Rabat.

On December 24, Burkina Faso meet Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca, Algeria face Sudan in Rabat, Ivory Coast play Mozambique in Marrakech and Cameroon take on Gabon in Agadir. Group matches resume on December 26 as Angola play Zimbabwe, Egypt face South Africa, Zambia meet Comoros and Morocco take on Mali. The following day features Benin against Botswana, Senegal versus DR Congo, Uganda against Tanzania and a heavyweight clash between Nigeria and Tunisia.

The final round of group games runs from December 28 to December 31, with decisive fixtures across all groups determining who progresses to the knockout stages. The Round of 16 begins on January 3 and runs through January 6, with quarterfinals scheduled for January 14.

The tournament then moves into its decisive phase, with the semifinals set for January 17 and the grand final taking place on January 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.