The 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2025 is set to light up Morocco, ushering in a new chapter of African football history filled with anticipation, innovation and fierce competition.
Fresh from their AFCON triumph on home soil, Côte d’Ivoire, crowned champions after defeating Nigeria in the final, arrive in Morocco determined to defend their crown.
The Elephants are chasing a fifth continental title, a feat that would see them draw level with Ghana, while edging closer to Africa’s most decorated nations, Egypt (seven titles) and Cameroon (five titles).
The stage is therefore set for a tournament where every match will matter, every margin will be slim, and every contender will arrive with belief.
AFCON 2025 Match Schedule: Morocco Welcomes Africa
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The opening match scheduled for Sunday, 21 December 2025, and the final set for 18 January 2026.
This will be the first winter edition of AFCON, as a result of significant shift in the competition’s calendar.
Morocco hosts the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history. A decade after being forced to withdraw from the 2015 edition, the North African nation now returns with:
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Modern stadium infrastructure
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Extensive organizational experience
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A football culture deeply rooted in history
Morocco’s hosting forms part of a broader sporting vision, following recent successful CAF events and ahead of its co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Côte d’Ivoire Target Back-to-Back Glory
As reigning champions, Côte d’Ivoire’s title defense comes amid a field of increasingly ambitious challengers and traditional heavyweights, seeking redemption and emerging forces eager to disrupt the established order.
Across the continent, expectations are rising. AFCON Morocco 2025 promises to be a competition defined by intensity, drama and continental pride, where legacy and ambition collide.
AFCON 2025: Find Out the 24 Qualified Teams
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 will feature 24 qualified national teams, who secured their places either through qualification or automatic entry as hosts.
Qualified Teams for AFCON Morocco 2025
| Team | Qualification Method | Appearances | Best Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Host nation | 20th | Winners (1976) |
| Burkina Faso | 2nd – Group L | 14th | Runners-up (2013) |
| Cameroon | 1st – Group J | 22nd | Winners (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017) |
| Algeria | 1st – Group E | 21st | Winners (1990, 2019) |
| DR Congo | 1st – Group F | 21st | Winners (1968, 1974) |
| Senegal | 1st – Group L | 18th | Winners (2021) |
| Egypt | 1st – Group C | 27th | Winners (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) |
| Angola | 1st – Group F | 10th | Quarter-finals |
| Equatorial Guinea | 2nd – Group E | 5th | Fourth place (2015) |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 2nd – Group G | 26th | Winners (1992, 2015, 2023) |
| Gabon | 2nd – Group B | 9th | Quarter-finals |
| Uganda | 2nd – Group K | 8th | Runners-up (1978) |
| South Africa | 1st – Group K | 12th | Winners (1996) |
| Tunisia | 2nd – Group A | 22nd | Winners (2004) |
| Nigeria | 1st – Group D | 21st | Winners (1980, 1994, 2013) |
| Mali | 1st – Group I | 14th | Runners-up (1972) |
| Zambia | 1st – Group G | 19th | Winners (2012) |
| Zimbabwe | 2nd – Group J | 6th | Group stage |
| Comoros | 1st – Group A | 2nd | Round of 16 (2021) |
| Sudan | 2nd – Group F | 10th | Winners (1970) |
| Benin | 2nd – Group D | 5th | Quarter-finals (2019) |
| Tanzania | 2nd – Group H | 4th | Group stage |
| Botswana | 2nd – Group C | 2nd | Group stage (2012) |
| Mozambique | 2nd – Group I | 6th | Group stage |
AFCON 2025: Host Cities & Stadiums
AFCON 2025 will be staged across multiple cities, showcasing Morocco’s state-of-the-art venues:
Rabat
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Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex – 69,500
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Al Barid Stadium – 18,000
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Olympic Annex Stadium – 21,000
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Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex – 22,000
Casablanca
Agadir
Marrakech
Fès
Tangier
AFCON 2025 Group Draw & Pathways to Glory Revealed
Group A
- Morocco
- Mali
- Zambia
- Comoros
Group B
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Angola
- Zimbabwe
Group C
- Nigeria
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Tanzania
Group D
- Senegal
- DR Congo
- Benin
- Botswana
Group E
- Algeria
- Burkina Faso
- Equatorial Guinea
- Sudan
Group F
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cameroon
- Gabon
- Mozambique
Tickets & Fan Access: What Supporters Need to Know
Access to stadiums is strictly subject to possession of a FAN ID, obtained via the Yalla App, available on both the App Store and Google Play.
Once validated, match tickets can be purchased exclusively through CAF’s official platform.
Fans can also opt for premium hospitality packages, offering:
ITRI: The Official Ball of AFCON Morocco 2025
Unveiled jointly by CAF and PUMA, ITRI, meaning “star” in Amazigh is the official match ball of AFCON 2025.
Inspired by Moroccan zellige geometric patterns, the design features:
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A central star
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Flowing lines symbolising unity, energy and fluidity
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References to the Moroccan flag and continental ambition
Built with PUMA Orbita 6 technology, ITRI blends cultural identity with elite performance standards.
The ball will make its official debut on 21 December 2025, as its first touch of a tournament poised to unite Africa through football.
