As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the nation aims to replicate the success of Ivory Coast, who clinched the title on home soil in 2024.
The tournament is scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with matches set across six cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier.
Morocco’s national team, the Atlas Lions, will open the competition against the Comoros Islands in Rabat. They are placed in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros.
The team enters the tournament with high expectations, especially after their historic World Cup semifinal appearance in 2022.
However, the path to emulating Ivory Coast’s achievement is challenging. The defending champions are drawn in Group F with Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.
Ivory Coast’s formidable squad, including players like Sébastien Haller and Nicolas Pépé, poses a significant threat.
While Morocco’s home advantage is undeniable, the competition remains fierce. The Atlas Lions will need to harness the support of their passionate fans and deliver exceptional performances to secure their first AFCON title since 1976.
