A Comprehensive Guide to AFCON 2025 in Morocco

The highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to unfold in Morocco, commencing this Sunday in the vibrant capital city, Rabat. As the host nation, Morocco will face Comoros in the opening match of this month-long tournament. The grand final is scheduled for January 18 at the impressive Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 69,500 spectators. Across six cities, nine venues have been selected to host this continental showcase, featuring 24 teams divided into six groups, all competing for glory with a total of 68 matches. The group stage will last until December 31, followed by the knockout rounds starting January 3. Below are details about the teams, groups, format, match schedule, and venues for AFCON 2025.

Teams and Groups

• 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: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Tournament Format

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, starting with the round of 16. Following this, teams will compete in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the final. Additionally, there will be a third-place playoff between the two semifinal losers. In the knockout rounds, if a match ends in a draw after normal time, extra time of 30 minutes will be played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

Match Schedule

Group Stage Matches

• December 21 – Group A: Morocco vs Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8 PM (GMT)
• December 22 – Group A: Mali vs Zambia at Stade Mohammed V, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 22 – Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe at Adrar Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 22 – Group B: South Africa vs Angola at Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 23 – Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania at Fez Stadium, 1 PM (GMT)
• December 23 – Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 23 – Group D: Senegal vs Botswana at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 23 – Group D: DR Congo vs Benin at Al Barid Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 24 – Group E: Algeria vs Sudan at Moulay Hassan Stadium, 1 PM (GMT)
• December 24 – Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea at Stade Mohammed V, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 24 – Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique at Marrakesh Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 24 – Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon at Adrar Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 26 – Group A: Morocco vs Mali at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 1 PM (GMT)
• December 26 – Group A: Zambia vs Comoros at Stade Mohammed V, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 26 – Group B: Egypt vs South Africa at Adrar Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 26 – Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe at Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 27 – Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia at Fez Stadium, 1 PM (GMT)
• December 27 – Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania at Al Barid Stadium, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 27 – Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 27 – Group D: Benin vs Botswana at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 28 – Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso at Moulay Hassan Stadium, 1 PM (GMT)
• December 28 – Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan at Stade Mohammed V, 3:30 PM (GMT)
• December 28 – Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon at Marrakesh Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 28 – Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique at Adrar Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 29 – Group A: Comoros vs Mali at Stade Mohammed V, 6:30 PM (GMT)
• December 29 – Group A: Zambia vs Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6:30 PM (GMT)
• December 29 – Group B: Angola vs Egypt at Adrar Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 29 – Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa at Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 30 – Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 30 – Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria at Fez Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 30 – Group D: Benin vs Senegal at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 30 – Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo at Al Barid Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 31 – Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria at Moulay Hassan Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 31 – Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso at Stade Mohammed V, 6 PM (GMT)
• December 31 – Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast at Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• December 31 – Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon at Adrar Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)

Knockout Stages

Round of 16

• January 3 – Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 3 – Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C at Stade Mohammed V, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• January 4 – Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 4 – Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F at Al Barid Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• January 5 – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D at Adrar Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 5 – Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F at Fez Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• January 6 – Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D at Moulay Hassan Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 6 – Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E at Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)

Rest days on January 7 and 8.

Quarterfinals

• January 9 – Quarterfinal 1 at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 9 – Quarterfinal 2 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)
• January 10 – Quarterfinal 3 at Marrakesh Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 10 – Quarterfinal 4 at Adrar Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)

Semifinals

• January 14 – Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 at Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6 PM (GMT)
• January 14 – Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8:30 PM (GMT)

Rest days on January 15 and 16.

Third-Place Playoff and Final

• January 17 – Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 at Stade Mohammed V, 8 PM (GMT)
• January 18 – Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8 PM (GMT)

Conclusion

The AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be an electrifying tournament, displaying the incredible talent and unity within African football. As teams clash for the prestigious title, fans can look forward to an exhilarating month of competition filled with unforgettable moments and passionate performances.

Key Takeaways:

• AFCON 2025 takes place in Morocco starting December 21, culminating in the final on January 18.
• A total of 24 teams are divided into six groups, competing across nine venues.
• The knockout stage begins on January 3, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
• Egypt holds the record with seven AFCON titles, although their last victory was in 2010.