The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the full calendar for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming the tournament will run from 27 April to 18 May across three Egyptian cities: Cairo, Ismailia, and Suez.
In what promises to be an exciting 17th edition of the competition, 13 national teams have been drawn into three groups, with matches set to unfold at iconic stadiums including Cairo International Stadium, Stade du 30 Juin,
and venues in Ismailia and Suez. Host nation Egypt will open the tournament against Zambia on 27 April at 21:00 local time in Cairo, marking the official start of three weeks of intense youth football action.
Earlier on the same day, Sierra Leone will face South Africa in Ismailia in what will be the tournament’s opening fixture.
The early stages of the competition are packed with high-profile clashes, with group matches including Nigeria versus Kenya and Kenya versus Morocco, both to be held at Stade du 30 Juin.
Meanwhile, the Suez venue will witness key matchups such as Senegal taking on Central African Republic and DR Congo facing Ghana.
CAF’s competition format features three groups—Group A composed of five teams, while Groups B and C contain four each.
The top two sides from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams across all groups, will advance to the quarter-finals.
The knockout stage will culminate in the final, which is set for 18 May 2025. In addition to chasing continental glory, the stakes are raised further with qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 on the line.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals will earn automatic berths at the global showpiece, giving added motivation to the continent’s rising stars.
The group-stage draw has produced several intriguing fixtures that are likely to capture continental attention.
Group A sees hosts Egypt joined by Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania—a tightly contested pool that promises competitive football from start to finish.
In Group B, heavyweights Nigeria and Morocco will battle it out alongside Tunisia and Kenya. Group C, meanwhile, features title contenders Senegal, the Central African Republic, DR Congo, and Ghana, ensuring that every group presents a formidable challenge.
CAF’s announcement comes at a time when youth football across Africa is gaining momentum, with increased investment in player development and rising interest from global scouts.
The 2025 edition of the U-20 AFCON is expected to further showcase the continent’s next generation of talent, many of whom will be eyeing opportunities both domestically and abroad.
With less than a year to go, preparations in Egypt are intensifying, and anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the most competitive youth tournaments in recent memory. The full match schedule and ticketing details are expected to be released by CAF in the coming weeks.
U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 – Group Stage Draw:
- Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
- Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco
- Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana
As the countdown begins, the spotlight now turns to the teams and their preparations for Africa’s premier youth football competition.
