Morocco will kick off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Comoros on December 21, 2025, as revealed in Monday’s draw in Rabat, with the tournament marking the first time it will span two calendar years.
The host nation, bolstered by PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, aims to become the fourth home team this century to claim the continental crown. The tournament will serve as key preparation for Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
The draw produced several compelling matchups, with Egypt and South Africa headlining Group B alongside Angola and Zimbabwe. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, still seeking his first AFCON triumph after runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2022, will lead his team’s campaign.
Defending champions Ivory Coast face a challenging group featuring five-time winners Cameroon, along with Gabon and Mozambique. Nigeria, fresh from their 2024 final appearance, will compete against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C.
The tournament’s timing shifted from mid-2025 to avoid conflicting with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States. CAF President Patrick Motsepe expressed confidence in the event’s success, noting that Ivory Coast’s 2024 hosting set a new standard to surpass.
Recent AFCON history suggests a competitive tournament ahead, with Ivory Coast being the only nation to win multiple titles in the past eight editions. The Ivorians achieved this feat most recently with their comeback victory against Nigeria in the 2024 final.
The complete groups for the 2025 AFCON are now set, with teams beginning their preparations for what will be the continent’s first major tournament to bridge two years.
Here is the final line up looks like:
DRAW
Group A
Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B
Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C
Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D
Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F
Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
DATES
Groups: Dec 21-31 (excluding Dec 25)
Last 16: Jan 3-6, 2026
Quarterfinals: Jan 9-10
Semifinals: Jan 14
3rd place: Jan 17
Final: Jan 18
VENUES
Rabat (four stadiums), Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, Fes and Tangier.
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