AFCON 2025 Morocco: Full schedule, groups, stadiums, and key fixtures as Africa’s top football nations prepare for December kick-off

Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, marking the first time the tournament will overlap with Christmas and New Year.

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The North African nation will welcome fans from across the continent to nine stadiums in six cities for a month-long football festival.

The tournament features Ivory Coast as the defending champions, following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria in February 2024.

Originally, Guinea was slated to host AFCON 2025 but was stripped of hosting rights in September 2022 due to inadequate infrastructure.

Morocco was subsequently appointed on 27 September 2023.

Stadiums hosting the competition include Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier (75,000 capacity); Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (68,700); Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca (45,000); Adrar Stadium, Agadir (45,480); Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh (45,240); Fez Stadium, Fez (45,000); Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat (22,000); Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat (21,000); and Al Barid Stadium, Rabat (18,000).

AFCON 2025 Groups

Group A: Comoros, Mali, Morocco, Zambia
Group B: Angola, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda
Group D: Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Senegal
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique

Group-stage fixtures begin on 21 December, with Morocco taking on Comoros in Rabat. Nigeria opens against Tanzania at Fez Stadium on 23 December, followed by their clash with Tunisia on 27 December.

Knockout stages will run from 3 January to 18 January 2026, culminating in the final.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the scheduling shift to accommodate FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, moving the tournament to the winter window.

Morocco last hosted AFCON in 1988, but modern stadium infrastructure ensures the country is well-prepared for the continent-wide event.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, along with other African powerhouses such as Egypt, Senegal, and Cameroon, are expected to compete fiercely in what promises to be a high-intensity tournament.

Fans are gearing up for an action-packed holiday period, with football matches scheduled almost daily across multiple time zones.

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AFCON 2025 Morocco is projected to be a landmark event, showcasing top African talent, modern sporting facilities, and a celebration of football culture across the continent.