The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025 will take place during the summer months of July and August, following a preliminary agreement between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and host country Morocco.
The decision deviates from the initially planned dates in January through February, with the 2025 edition set to start on July 23, 2025, and ends on August 21, 2025.
Morocco will host the tournament across six cities: Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, and Fez.
The revised schedule positions AFCON 2025 after FIFA’s inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled from June 15 to July 13 in the United States.
Despite the date shift, the competition format remains unchanged, featuring 24 teams.
Qualification will involve 23 teams, excluding the host nation, with the top two teams and the four highest-ranked third-placed teams from the initial six groups progressing to the round of 16.
The subsequent stages include quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and the grand final, promising an exciting football spectacle in the vibrant backdrop of Moroccan cities.
