The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will get underway on Sunday, December 21, with host nation Morocco scheduled to face off with Comoros.
The tournament, which is the 35th edition, will feature 24 countries determined to sell African football while fighting for glory.
In all, 52 matches will be played throughout the tournament across nine stadiums, with the grand finale scheduled for January 18, 2026.
With millions watching, here are the various groups for AFCON 2025.
Morocco
Mali
Zambia
Comoros
Egypt
South Africa
Angola
Zimbabwe
Nigeria
Tunisia
Uganda
Tanzania
Senegal
DR Congo
Benin
Botswana
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Equatorial Guinea
Sudan
Ivory Coast
Cameroon
Gabon
Mozambique
The Opening Match
Moroccans have been waiting for this day to come since the AFCON qualifiers were completed early this year.
As the tournament kicks off in Rabat, the Atlas Lions will play their first match against their counterparts from Comoros.
The Group A opener is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay.
In a matter of hours, the stage opens at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah. ????
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 is about to begin. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/7z0RJF5nQ2
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 21, 2025
AFCON 2025 Structure
As confirmed by CAF before the draw, there will be no change to the existing format, with 24 teams drawn into six groups of four.
As has happened in past tournaments, the top two nations from each group will qualify for the round of 16. They will be joined by the best-ranked four third-place teams.
Subsequently, it will be a straight knockout competition where the remaining teams will battle to go as far as possible.
Favourites to win AFCON 2025
After years of preparations, Morocco stand a huge chance of winning AFCON 2025. According to Opta projection, the Atlas Lions have a 19% chance of winning the title.
Morocco head into the tournament as the highest-ranked African side in the FIFA World Ranking. For a side that reached the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they could complete a historic host and win at this year’s AFCON.
Defending champions Ivory Coast have managed to maintain their winning mentality in the run-up to this tournament and are counted among the favourites.
Other contenders include Egypt, led by superstar Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, one-time champion Senegal, and Tunisia.
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