AFCON 2025: Here’s what you need to know before kickoff

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) is expected to commence on Sunday, December 21, 2025 through to January 18, 2026, with 24 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Morocco.

The Atlas Lions begins the tournament against Comoros on Sunday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat

As the excitement grows, fans are eager to discover the details of this historic edition. Here is a guide to the essential information to know before kick-off, as shared by CAF.

Participating teams

Morocco, top of Group A, will face Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. The Atlas Lions will kick off the tournament on home soil. The competition will also showcase traditional African football giants such as Egypt, the most successful team with seven AFCON titles, Nigeria (three titles), Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, and the reigning champions, Ivory Coast, who will attempt to defend their crown.

Match venues

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in six Moroccan cities and nine stadiums.

In Rabat, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex (69,500 seats) will be the main venue, hosting the opening match and the final. The capital will also use the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium (22,000 seats), the Olympic Annex Stadium (21,000 seats), and the Al Barid Stadium (18,000 seats).

– Casablanca will host matches at the Mohammed V Sports Complex (approximately 67,000 seats).

– Tangier is home to the tournament’s largest stadium, the Grand Stade de Tanger (75,600 seats).

– Marrakech will use the Grand Stade de Marrakech (approximately 45,000 seats).

– Agadir will host matches at the Grand Stade d’Agadir (approximately 45,000 seats).

– Fez completes the list with the Fez Sports Complex (approximately 45,000 seats).

Match schedule by stadium

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat): opening match, final and key knockout matches.

Other stadiums in Rabat: group stage matches.

Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir and Fez: group stage matches and knockout stages, including the round of 16 and quarter-finals, depending on developments.

Fan Parks across Morocco

CAF has announced eight official Fan Parks, open to all holders of a valid FAN ID. These spaces will offer live broadcasts of matches, concerts, food areas, and entertainment for the whole family:

• Rabat: Esplanade OLM Souissi, Place Kasbah Témara

Casablanca: Toro Space, Weather Space

• Agadir: Agadir Beach (The Marina)
• Fez: Botanical Garden

Marrakech: Bab Doukkala Square

• Tangier: Villa Harris Park

Team base camps and hotels

For the first time in the history of the AFCON, each national team will remain in a single base camp throughout the tournament, combining a five-star hotel and a nearby training center.

Rabat: Morocco (Mohammed VI Football Complex), Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Casablanca: Mali, Zambia, Comoros, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Agadir/Taghazout: Egypt, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Marrakech: Ivory Coast, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Fez: Nigeria

Tangier: Senegal

Tickets and stadium access

Access to the stadiums requires a mandatory FAN ID, available exclusively through the Yalla app. Once validated, tickets can only be purchased via the official CAF platform: tickets.cafonline.com. CAF also offers hospitality packages, including premium seating and catering services.

With modern stadiums, fan zones across the country and a packed football calendar, the 2025 AFCON promises both a great sporting spectacle and a nationwide festive experience for supporters in Morocco.