Arjun Menon
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON – begins December 21 in Rabat. Morocco opens against Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The final, on January 18, returns to the same 69,500-seat venue.
Nine stadiums across six cities will host the tournament. Twenty-four teams, split into six groups, play 52 matches total. Group play ends December 31; knockout rounds start January 3.
Groups and Teams
- 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
Egypt leads all nations with seven titles – last won in 2010.
How the Tournament Works
Each group’s top two advance, plus the four best third-place teams. Knockout matches tied after 90 minutes go to extra time and, if needed, penalties. A third-place playoff follows the semifinals.
Full Match Schedule
Group Stage
December 21
Group A: Morocco vs Comoros – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 19:00 GMT
December 22
Group A: Mali vs Zambia – Stade Mohammed V, 14:30 GMT
Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe – Adrar Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group B: South Africa vs Angola – Marrakesh Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 23
Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania – Fez Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 14:30 GMT
Group D: Senegal vs Botswana – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group D: DR Congo vs Benin – Al Barid Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 24
Group E: Algeria vs Sudan – Moulay Hassan Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea – Stade Mohammed V, 14:30 GMT
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique – Marrakesh Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon – Adrar Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Christmas Day is a rest day.
December 26
Group A: Morocco vs Mali – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros – Stade Mohammed V, 14:30 GMT
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa – Adrar Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe – Marrakesh Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 27
Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia – Fez Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania – Al Barid Stadium, 14:30 GMT
Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group D: Benin vs Botswana – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 28
Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso – Moulay Hassan Stadium, 12:00 GMT
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan – Stade Mohammed V, 14:30 GMT
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon – Marrakesh Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique – Adrar Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 29
Group A: Comoros vs Mali – Stade Mohammed V, 17:30 GMT
Group A: Zambia vs Morocco – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 17:30 GMT
Group B: Angola vs Egypt – Adrar Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Marrakesh Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 30
Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria – Fez Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group D: Benin vs Senegal – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo – Al Barid Stadium, 19:30 GMT
December 31
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – Moulay Hassan Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso – Stade Mohammed V, 17:00 GMT
Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast – Marrakesh Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon – Adrar Stadium, 19:30 GMT
New Year’s Day and January 2 are rest days.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
January 3
Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C – Stade Mohammed V, 19:30 GMT
January 4
Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F – Al Barid Stadium, 19:30 GMT
January 5
Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D – Adrar Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F – Fez Stadium, 19:30 GMT
January 6
Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D – Moulay Hassan Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E – Marrakesh Stadium, 19:30 GMT
January 7 and 8 are rest days.
Quarterfinals
January 9
Quarterfinal 1 – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Quarterfinal 2 – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 19:30 GMT
January 10
Quarterfinal 3 – Marrakesh Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Quarterfinal 4 – Adrar Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Rest days on January 11, 12, and 13.
Semifinals
January 14
Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 – Ibn Batouta Stadium, 17:00 GMT
Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Rest days on January 15 and 16.
Third-place playoff
January 17
Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 – Stade Mohammed V, 19:00 GMT
Final
January 18
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 19:00 GMT
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat will host the final. The venue, with its 69,500 capacity, has been a central figure in the tournament’s planning.