AFCON 2025: What you don’t know but need to know ahead of tournament kick-off

African football’s finest teams and brightest stars will take centre stage in Morocco when the continent’s premier showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations, kicks off on Sunday.

Ivory Coast will look to defend the title they won in 2023, while Morocco, Egypt and Senegal are also among the pre-tournament favourites.

With high-profile players such as Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, and Victor Osimhen set to feature, the 2025 edition is expected to deliver top-tier football and storylines that extend well beyond the pitch.

Key Dates and When the Final Will Be Played

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will begin on Sunday, as host nation Morocco play Comoros in the opening game.

The final will be played on January 18 at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, marking the conclusion of the 52-match tournament.

The group stage runs from December 21 to 31, followed by the round of 16 from January 3 to 6. The quarterfinals are scheduled for January 9 and 10, the semifinals on January 14, the third-place playoff on January 17, and the final on January 18.

Why AFCON 2025 Is Starting in December

The tournament in Morocco was originally due to be played in June, but that schedule clashed with the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States.

As a result, AFCON 2025 will be the first edition of the tournament to take place over the Christmas and New Year period.

Morocco’s Role as Host Nation

Morocco is hosting the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations across nine venues in six cities, the highest number of host venues ever used for an AFCON.

Guinea was initially awarded hosting rights but was later stripped of the tournament due to concerns over infrastructure readiness.

This marks Morocco’s second time hosting AFCON, having previously staged the tournament in 1988.

Venues and Host Cities Across the Country

Matches will be played in Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier, with stadiums ranging in capacity from 18,000 to over 75,000.

Key venues include Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca and Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, alongside several other modern facilities across the country.

Teams Competing at AFCON 2025

Twenty-four teams from across the continent will compete for the title.

Defending champions Ivory Coast, record winners Egypt, giants Morocco and Nigeria are all among the qualified nations, alongside several emerging teams hoping to make their mark.

The teams have been divided into six groups of four, setting the stage for a fiercely contested group phase.

How the Tournament Format Works

Each team will play three group-stage matches in a round-robin format.

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the round of 16.

From there, the tournament progresses through the quarterfinals and semifinals before culminating in the final. A third-place playoff will also be held between the losing semifinalists.

Any knockout match level after 90 minutes will go into extra time and, if needed, be decided by penalties.

Player Release Controversy Ahead of Kick-Off

FIFA confirmed in early December that clubs would only be required to release players from December 15, later than the usual international window.

This decision left national teams with less than a week to prepare once all players became available, prompting criticism from several coaches.

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet described the decision as disrespectful to African football, arguing that European club interests were prioritised despite AFCON dates being confirmed well in advance.

A Brief History of AFCON Champions

Egypt remain the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, although their last triumph came in 2010.

Cameroon follow with five titles, while Ghana have won the competition four times but will be absent from this edition after failing to qualify.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast have both lifted the trophy three times, with the Ivorians defeating Nigeria in the 2023 final.

Since its inception in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations has been won by 15 different countries.

Why the Africa Cup of Nations Matters

AFCON continues to serve as the pinnacle of African football, bringing together teams capable of competing at the highest global level.

Seven teams at AFCON 2025 have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the quality and competitiveness of the tournament.

Former Zambia captain Christopher Katongo described AFCON as more than just football, highlighting its cultural significance, pride and growing global influence.

AFCON 2025 as a World Cup Dress Rehearsal

For Morocco, hosting AFCON 2025 also serves as a vital test event ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The tournament offers an opportunity to assess infrastructure, logistics and fan engagement on a continental scale.

Favourites and Title Contenders

Host nation Morocco and defending champions Ivory Coast enter the tournament among the favourites.

Morocco, Africa’s highest-ranked side, enter the tournament in strong form and will benefit from home support as they chase a first AFCON title in nearly five decades.

They hosts open the tournament with a clash against Comoros on Sunday, December 21, with the encounter scheduled for 8 PM.