Morocco, a semifinalist in the World Cup, has been placed in a group alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros for the men’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which it will host.
Scheduled from December 21 to January 18, this tournament will be the largest soccer event in Morocco prior to its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal—teams that Morocco defeated in the 2022 World Cup, marking a historic achievement as the first African nation to reach the semifinals, although they ultimately lost to France.
In the previous Africa Cup held a year ago, Morocco faced an unexpected exit in the round of 16 at the hands of South Africa.
Ivory Coast, the host nation that won the last Africa Cup, will kick off its title defense in a group that includes Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.
Nigeria, which finished as the runner-up last year with standout forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, has been drawn into a group with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, who is still in pursuit of his first Africa Cup title at the age of 33 when the tournament begins in December, will compete in a group with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Senegal, the champion from 2021, is set to compete against Congo, Benin, and Botswana.
Algeria, the 2019 titleholder, has been placed in a group with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
The matches will take place across six cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier.
This tournament is scheduled to commence in mid-December, allowing for completion before players return to their European clubs for the Champions League, which resumes in late January. Additionally, many of these players will participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, occurring less than six months later.
Africa will secure nine direct spots in the inaugural 48-team World Cup.
