Africa’s top football stars are preparing to gather in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will, for the first time, be staged over Christmas and New Year. The tournament begins on Sunday, 21 December, with hosts Morocco facing Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Expectations are high for the Atlas Lions Africa’s highest-ranked team at 11th in the world who are seeking their first Afcon title since 1976. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will also be pushing for his long-awaited first continental trophy as the Pharaohs aim for an eighth championship.
Groups and Format
Twenty-four teams have been drawn into six groups of four. Morocco headline Group A alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros. Group F features a heavyweight clash between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, while Egypt meet South Africa in Group B. The top two from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, advance to the last 16.
Match Schedule and Kick-Off Times
After the 21 December opener, four group-stage matches will be played daily from 22–31 December at 12:30, 15:00, 17:30 and 20:00 GMT. Knockout fixtures begin on 3 January, leading to the final on Sunday, 18 January at 19:00 GMT in Rabat.
Host Venues
Morocco has invested heavily in stadium upgrades ahead of Afcon 2025 and its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup. Nine stadiums across six cities including four in Rabat will stage matches, with capacities ranging from 18,000 to nearly 70,000.
Player Release Dispute
Afcon’s mid-season timing has sparked tension between European clubs and African federations. FIFA has set 15 December as the mandatory player-release date later than usual prompting criticism from coaches such as Mali’s Tom Saintfiet, who called the decision “catastrophic.” Some clubs may negotiate temporary extensions to retain key players for domestic fixtures.
Tournament Favourites
Morocco enter as strong favourites after a record-breaking run of 18 consecutive victories, scoring 50 goals and conceding just four since March 2024. Senegal, Algeria, Egypt and defending champions Ivory Coast are also considered major contenders, while DR Congo arrive with momentum after beating Cameroon and Nigeria in World Cup qualifying. With seven different champions in the last eight editions, Afcon 2025 is expected to deliver its usual unpredictability.
Fixtures Overview
The group-stage and full knockout schedule outline matches across Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier, culminating in the 18 January final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
