Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a pivotal moment for African soccer as the tournament returns to North Africa. The draw, conducted on Monday, placed Morocco in a group with Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, setting the stage for an exciting competition scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
This tournament will be Morocco’s most significant soccer event leading up to its co-hosting duties for the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Morocco, which made history as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022, is determined to solidify its standing in global soccer. However, memories of their unexpected exit in the round of 16 during the last AFCON, where they were ousted by South Africa, remain fresh.
Ivory Coast, the reigning AFCON champions, have been drawn into a challenging group featuring Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique as they aim to defend their title. Nigeria, last year’s runner-up, will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with star players Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen expected to lead their campaign.
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Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, who will be 33 when the tournament begins, is on a quest to secure a title that has eluded the iconic forward. They will compete against South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe in their group. Meanwhile, Senegal, the 2021 champions, will battle Congo, Benin, and Botswana, hoping to recapture the glory they achieved four years ago.
Algeria, the 2019 winners, faces Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan in what promises to be another thrilling group stage.
Matches will be hosted across six Moroccan cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier, showcasing the country’s readiness to host world-class sporting events. The tournament has been scheduled to conclude before the UEFA Champions League resumes in late January, accommodating players competing in European leagues.
The 2025 AFCON also serves as a crucial precursor to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Africa will have nine direct entries in the expanded 48-team format. Many players from this tournament are expected to represent their nations on the global stage less than six months later.
With its rich soccer history and a growing reputation as a global football powerhouse, Morocco is poised to deliver a memorable AFCON. All eyes will be on the Atlas Lions as they aim to shine on home soil and build momentum for their World Cup hosting duties in 2030.