The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to begin in Morocco, with the opening match between host nation Morocco and Comoros taking place in Rabat on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 11:00 pm EAT.

The four-week tournament will run across nine venues in six cities, featuring 24 teams competing in 52 matches.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 pm EAT at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Teams and groups

The participating teams are drawn into six 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

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.

Group stage schedule

The group stage runs December 21–31, with kickoff times in EAT:

Dec 21: Morocco vs Comoros, 11:00 pm

Dec 22: Mali vs Zambia, 5:30 pm; Egypt vs Zimbabwe, 9:00 pm; South Africa vs Angola, 11:30 pm

Dec 23: Nigeria vs Tanzania, 4:00 pm; Tunisia vs Uganda, 5:30 pm; Senegal vs Botswana, 9:00 pm; DR Congo vs Benin, 11:30 pm

Dec 24: Algeria vs Sudan, 4:00 pm; Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea, 5:30 pm; Ivory Coast vs Mozambique, 9:00 pm; Cameroon vs Gabon, 11:30 pm

Group matches continue until December 31, including Morocco vs Mali on December 26 at 4:00 pm EAT and Zambia vs Comoros at 5:30 pm.

Knockout rounds

The Round of 16 begins January 3, followed by quarterfinals (January 9–10), semifinals January 14, third-place playoff January 17, and the final January 18 at 11:00 pm EAT. If matches are tied at full time, 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, penalties will decide the winner.

Tournament venues

Key stadiums hosting matches include Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Stade Mohammed V, Fez Stadium, Marrakesh Stadium, Adrar Stadium, Ibn Batouta Stadium, Al Barid Stadium, and Moulay Hassan Stadium.

Fans can expect intense matches throughout the tournament, with several marquee fixtures like Egypt vs South Africa, Nigeria vs Tunisia, and Morocco vs Mali. AFCON 2025 promises thrilling football action, celebrating African talent on one of the continent’s biggest stages.