The 35th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON 2025) is officially here. Hosted by Morocco, this year’s tournament marks a historic shift as the first edition to be held during the Christmas and New Year period.
To avoid a clash with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, the tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
- Group Stage: December 21 – December 31, 2025
- Round of 16: January 3 – January 6, 2026
- Quarter-Finals: January 9 – January 10, 2026
- Semi-Finals: January 14, 2026
- Final: January 18, 2026 (Rabat)
The tournament kicks off tonight, Sunday, December 21, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Opening Match: Morocco vs. Comoros – 10:00 PM EAT
During the group stages, matches will generally follow these standard kick-off slots:
- Afternoon matches: 4:00 PM EAT / 5:30 PM EAT
- Evening matches: 8:30 PM EAT / 9:00 PM EAT
- Late-night matches: 11:30 PM EAT
Twenty-four teams are competing across six groups. East African fans will have a keen eye on Group C, which features a regional “derby” feel:
- 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 (Defending Champions), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Morocco is utilizing nine world-class venues across six cities. The crown jewel is the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which boasts a capacity of nearly 70,000 and will host the tournament’s finale. Other host cities include Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh, Agadir, and Fez.
Stars and Storylines
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): The local hero leads an Atlas Lions side that is under immense pressure to win on home soil.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The Liverpool star is looking to finally secure the one major trophy that has eluded his illustrious career.
- The East African Charge: Both Tanzania (Taifa Stars) and Uganda (Cranes) are in the same group, making their head-to-head clash on December 27 at 6:30 PM EAT one of the most anticipated matches for the region.
The tournament will culminate in the final on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The Final Match Kick-off will be at 11:00 PM EAT.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe announced the winner of AFCON Morocco 2025 will receive USD 10 million in Prize Money.