Your Complete Guide to AFCON 2025
Everything Moroccan Fans Need to Know About the Africa Cup of Nations
The wait is almost over. From December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, Morocco will host the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, bringing the continent’s greatest football showpiece to our doorstep for the first time since 1988.
This is our moment. The Atlas Lions will play on home soil, backed by millions of passionate supporters, chasing the continental crown that has eluded us since 1976. Whether you’re planning to attend matches live, gathering at fan zones, or watching from home, this guide has everything you need to follow Morocco’s journey.
Tournament Format
AFCON 2025 features 24 teams divided into six groups of four. Here’s how progression works:
- The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the Round of 16
- The four best third-placed teams also qualify for the knockout stage
- From the Round of 16 onwards, it’s single-elimination knockout football all the way to the final
Key dates to remember:
- Opening Match: December 21, 2025 — Morocco vs Comoros in Rabat
- Group Stage: December 21–31, 2025
- Round of 16: January 3–6, 2026
- Quarter-finals: January 9–10, 2026
- Semi-finals: January 14–15, 2026
- Third-place Play-off: January 18, 2026
Final: January 18, 2026 — Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Morocco’s Group: Group A
The Atlas Lions have been drawn in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. As hosts, Morocco will play all group matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
| Team | Key Info |
|---|---|
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | Hosts & 1976 AFCON Champions. FIFA Ranking: 11th |
| 🇲🇱 Mali | Perennial contenders, semifinalists in 2024 |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | 2012 AFCON Champions |
| 🇰🇲 Comoros | First AFCON: 2021. The tournament’s Cinderella story |
Morocco’s Group Stage Fixtures
| Date | Match | Kickoff (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Dec 21 | Morocco vs Comoros | 21:00 |
| Fri, Dec 26 | Morocco vs Mali | 21:00 |
| Mon, Dec 29 | Morocco vs Zambia | 17:00 |
Note: All Morocco group matches will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Exact kickoff times for Matchdays 2 and 3 will be confirmed closer to the tournament.
All Groups at a Glance
Here’s the complete group stage draw for AFCON 2025:
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Egypt | Nigeria | Senegal | Algeria | Ivory Coast |
| Mali | South Africa | Tunisia | DR Congo | Burkina Faso | Cameroon |
| Zambia | Angola | Uganda | Benin | Eq. Guinea | Gabon |
| Comoros | Zimbabwe | Tanzania | Botswana | Sudan | Mozambique |
Key matches to watch:
Egypt vs South Africa (Group B), Nigeria vs Tunisia (Group C), Cameroon vs Ivory Coast (Group F — the defending champions face five-time winners Cameroon)
Host Cities & Stadiums
AFCON 2025 will be played across six cities and nine stadiums, showcasing Morocco’s world-class infrastructure ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Rabat — The Tournament Hub
The capital hosts four venues, including the tournament’s showpiece stadium:
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (69,500 capacity) — Opening match, semi-final, and final
- Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium (45,800)
- Rabat Olympic Stadium (21,000)
- Al Barid Stadium (18,000)
Other Host Cities
- Casablanca — Stade Mohammed V (45,000). Historic venue, third-place playoff
- Tangier — Grand Stade de Tanger (75,600). Largest stadium, semi-final venue
- Marrakech — Grand Stade de Marrakech (41,245). Quarter-final venue
- Agadir — Stade d’Agadir (45,480). Coastal venue with Atlas Mountain views
- Fes — Complexe Sportif de Fès (35,468). Historic city charm
Team Morocco: The Atlas Lions
Our AFCON History
Morocco’s sole AFCON triumph came in 1976 in Ethiopia, when Ahmed Faras led the Atlas Lions to glory. Since then, our best result was reaching the final in 2004, losing 2-1 to Tunisia.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup changed everything. Walid Regragui’s side became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, capturing hearts worldwide. Now, that golden generation has unfinished business on home soil.
Key Players to Watch
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG) — 2025 CAF African Player of the Year. Currently recovering from ankle injury but optimistic about AFCON fitness
- Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal) — One of Africa’s finest goalkeepers
- Nayef Aguerd (Real Sociedad) — Defensive anchor
- Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) — Versatile full-back
- Sofyan Amrabat (Fenerbahçe) — Midfield engine
- Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) — Creative playmaker
Bilal El Khannouss & Eliesse Ben Seghir — Rising stars of the next generation
How to Watch
Broadcast Information
CAF has announced broadcast partnerships across the continent:
- Morocco: SNRT (TVM) — Free-to-air coverage
- MENA Region: beIN SPORTS
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
- France: Canal+
Other Teams to Watch
- Ivory Coast (Defending Champions) — Can the Elephants retain their crown?
- Egypt (7-time Champions) — Mohamed Salah leads Africa’s most decorated nation
- Nigeria (Super Eagles) — 2024 finalists hungry for revenge
- Senegal (2021 Champions) — Still formidable despite Sadio Mané’s injury absences
- Algeria (2019 Champions) — The Desert Foxes looking to reclaim glory
- Cameroon (5-time Champions) — Never count out the Indomitable Lions
🦁 Dima Maghrib! 🇲🇦
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