The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) begins tomorrow with an exciting opening clash between hosts Morocco and Comoros at 22:00 PM at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
This 35th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament will run from 21 December to 18 January, marking the first time the finals are held over Christmas and New Year.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s best players, with the spotlight on Morocco, Africa’s highest-ranked team at 11th in the world.
The Atlas Lions are under pressure to deliver, having last lifted the Afcon trophy in 1976. Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt in pursuit of a record eighth continental crown, after finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2021.
Afcon 2025 features 24 teams divided into six groups. Group A includes Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Group B has Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Group C features Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Group D contains Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana.
Group E includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. Group F has Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.
The top two from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, will progress to the round of 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the final.
Matches will take place across nine stadiums in six host cities. Rabat leads with four venues, including the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Kick-off times for the group stage range from 12:30 to 20:00 GMT, with knockout-stage matches mainly scheduled at 16:00 and 19:00 GMT.
Player release from European clubs has stirred debate. FIFA has set 15 December as the mandatory release date, meaning stars such as Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, and Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui will miss part of the Premier League season to join their national teams.
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet called the ruling “catastrophic” for preparations, reflecting wider concerns over African football being undervalued in Europe.
Morocco enters as the clear favourite, riding a world-record streak of 18 consecutive international wins since March 2024, scoring 50 goals while conceding only four.
Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and holders Ivory Coast also pose major threats, while DR Congo and other teams may provide surprises. With seven different winners in the last eight editions, unpredictability is guaranteed.
Fans can expect thrilling group-stage matches, including Senegal vs DR Congo, Egypt vs South Africa, and Ivory Coast vs Cameroon.
The tournament promises intense action, showcasing Africa’s football talent and passion. The Afcon 2025 final will take place on 18 January at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the continent’s champion will lift the iconic trophy.