When is AFCON 2025 in Morocco? Full Schedule, Dates, and Key Details

Introduction

When is AFCON 2025 in Morocco? The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This big football event will happen all in Morocco for the first time. It’s Africa’s top international soccer tournament, where 24 national teams fight for the continent’s biggest prize. Right now, Ivory Coast holds the title after winning the 2023 version.

This tournament shows off amazing African soccer skills. It brings pride to countries and draws fans from around the world. It often bumps into European league games because of when it’s held. For more insights into Morocco’s journey as a football powerhouse, you can explore the comprehensive AFCON 2025 Morocco guide covering tournament logistics and travel information.

Moroccan fans prepare to welcome the world for AFCON 2025 with vibrant celebrations across host cities

In this post, we give you all the latest info on AFCON 2025 Morocco dates and the full AFCON schedule 2025. We’ll cover fixtures, groups, places to play, and fun facts. This comes from official news by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). We’ll talk about the timeline, detailed matches, how Morocco is getting ready, and why this event is special. We have everything you need in one spot to plan and get excited.

Confirmed AFCON 2025 Morocco Dates and Tournament Overview

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 starts on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with the first game. It ends on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with the big final. That’s a total of 29 days full of soccer action. These AFCON 2025 Morocco dates were set by CAF to make things better.

In the past, like the 2023 event in Ivory Coast, AFCON happened in January and February during summer in North Africa. Now, it’s in winter from December to January. This skips the hot summer weather and fits nicer with world soccer plans. But it might make it hard for African players in Europe to join because of club matches.

AFCON 2025 schedule spans from group stages through knockout rounds across Morocco’s premier stadiums

The tournament has clear steps. The group stage goes from December 21 to December 31, 2025. Then, the round of 16 is January 3 to 7, 2026. Quarter-finals happen on January 10 and 11, 2026. Semi-finals are on January 14 and 15, 2026. The game for third place is on January 17, 2026. The final wraps it up on January 18, 2026.

From CAF’s announcement, Morocco plays Comoros first on December 21, 2025, in Group A. That game is at the new Complexe Sportif in Rabat, which holds 69,500 fans. There are 24 teams split into six groups. The top two from each group move on. Plus, the four best third-place teams join the knockout rounds.

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is for 24 teams and happens every two years since 2017. CAF runs it. It’s key because winning helps teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup and Olympics. This setup makes the tournament fair and exciting for all.

Full AFCON Schedule 2025: Group Stage Fixtures and Key Matchups

The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is where the fun begins. It lasts from December 21 to December 31, 2025. Teams play in a double round-robin in their groups. That means each team faces the others twice. All 36 group matches happen at nine spots in six cities. CAF shared the full AFCON schedule 2025 in a PDF on November 11, 2025, after first announcing it on January 31, 2025.

Here’s the day-by-day breakdown of the AFCON schedule 2025 group stage. Games start in the evening, around 8:00 PM local time, to let fans worldwide watch easily.

Morocco kicks off AFCON 2025 against Comoros in front of passionate home fans at Rabat’s Complexe Sportif

• Sunday, December 21, 2025: Morocco vs. Comoros (Group A) at Complexe Sportif, Rabat (69,500 seats). Morocco, the hosts, get a big home boost right away.
• Monday, December 22, 2025: Egypt vs. Zimbabwe (Group B) at Le Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier. Egypt, with seven AFCON wins, are favorites.
• Tuesday, December 23, 2025: Tanzania vs. Namibia (Group A) at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca. Another Group A clash to set the tone.
• Wednesday, December 24, 2025: Senegal vs. DR Congo (Group C) at Stade Adrar, Agadir. Senegal, 2021 champs, aim to shine.
• Thursday, December 25, 2025: Nigeria vs. Angola (Group D) at Ibn Battouta Stadium, Tangier. A Christmas treat with Nigeria’s strong attack.
• Friday, December 26, 2025: Algeria vs. Mali (Group E) at Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh; Cape Verde vs. Uganda (Group F) at Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fez.
• Saturday, December 27, 2025: Ghana vs. Guinea (Group B) at Le Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier; Ivory Coast vs. Sudan (Group C) at Stade Adrar, Agadir.
• Sunday, December 28, 2025: Cameroon vs. Ethiopia (Group A) at Complexe Sportif, Rabat; South Africa vs. Tunisia (Group E) at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.
• Monday, December 29, 2025: Burkina Faso vs. Mozambique (Group D) at Ibn Battouta Stadium, Tangier; Equatorial Guinea vs. Zambia (Group F) at Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh.
• Tuesday, December 30, 2025: Second round starts, like Comoros vs. Tanzania (Group A) at Complexe Sportif Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca; Zimbabwe vs. Ghana (Group B) at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat.
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025: New Year’s Eve games, such as DR Congo vs. Ivory Coast (Group C) at Le Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier, and Angola vs. Burkina Faso (Group D) at Stade Adrar, Agadir. Groups wrap up with matches like Mali vs. South Africa (Group E) and Uganda vs. Equatorial Guinea (Group F).

Key groups for the AFCON schedule 2025 include:

• Group A: Morocco, Comoros, Tanzania, Cameroon – Hosts could dominate.
• Group B: Egypt, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Guinea – Tough fights for spots.
• Group C: Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Sudan – Champs clash.
• Group D: Nigeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Mozambique – Power and surprises.
• Group E: Algeria, Mali, South Africa, Tunisia – North African rivals.
• Group F: Cape Verde, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia – Underdog potential.

Watch for big games like Morocco’s home edge or Egypt’s record chase. Senegal wants another title. To advance, group winners and runners-up go straight ahead. The best four third-place teams join based on points, then goal difference. This setup keeps every match important. Fans, mark your calendars around holidays – CAF timed it for that.

Knockout Stages: Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Final

After groups, the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 gets intense with knockouts. No room for mistakes here – it’s win or go home. The AFCON schedule 2025 for these stages starts January 3, 2026.

The knockout stages promise high-stakes drama as teams battle for AFCON 2025 glory in Morocco’s finest stadiums

• Round of 16 (January 3-7, 2026): Eight games over five days. Venues include Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat (45,000 seats) and Complexe Sportif Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca (40,000). Matches depend on group results, but think clashes like a Group A winner vs. a third-place team.
• Quarter-Finals (January 10-11, 2026): Two days, four games. January 10 at Adrar Stadium in Agadir (Match 37). January 11 at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca (Match 38). Possible big fights, like Morocco vs. Nigeria if they meet.
• Semi-Finals (January 14-15, 2026): January 14 at Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier (Match 39). January 15 at Ibn Battouta Stadium in Tangier (Match 40). The last four teams battle for the final spot.
• Third-Place Playoff (January 17, 2026): At Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. Losers of semis play for pride and third.
• Final (January 18, 2026): At Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat. This crowns the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 winner. Rabat hosts start and end for a cool story.

CAF picked these spots for their new setups, all up to FIFA rules. No teams are set until groups end, but dream of Morocco reaching the final at home. Ties? First, check head-to-head results, then goal difference. If still even, extra 30 minutes, then penalties.

These stages will boost Morocco’s economy with fans traveling. Upgrades to stadiums help local soccer too. The single-elimination style makes every goal count.

Venues and Host Cities for Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Morocco hosts the whole Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in six cities with nine venues. This is smart for travel and fans. All are ready by the AFCON 2025 Morocco dates in December.

Six Moroccan cities showcase world-class stadiums ready to host AFCON 2025’s most memorable matches

• Rabat: Complexe Sportif (69,500 seats, opener) and Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah (45,000, final).
• Casablanca: Stade Mohammed V (67,000, third-place) and Complexe Sportif Larbi Zaouli (40,000).
• Tangier: Le Grand Stade de Tanger (65,000) and Ibn Battouta Stadium (31,000).
• Marrakesh: Stade de Marrakech (45,000).
• Agadir: Stade Adrar (45,000).
• Fez: Complexe Sportif de Fès (45,000).

Morocco was picked in 2018 after delays from a 2015 plan. They’ve built new places like the Rabat complex. Morocco loves soccer – they reached the World Cup semis in 2022 and co-host the 2025 Club World Cup. From Wikipedia and France24, these cities spread the event well, expecting over 50,000 fans per game.

Keeping it in one country cuts travel costs and makes it easier for supporters. It shows Morocco’s big push in African football. If you’re planning to attend matches and explore these beautiful cities, consider renting a car in Morocco for convenient travel between venues and tourist attractions.

Background and Significance of the Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations started in 1957 as the African Nations Cup. It became AFCON in 1968. It’s every two years since then, with 34 events by 2023. Morocco’s first full host after past waits. Cameroon and Egypt each have seven wins.

Fun past moments? Morocco’s 2022 World Cup run amps up excitement. Qualification ran from 2023-2025 with 54 CAF countries in groups. Hosts like Morocco get a free spot. It took 48 games to pick the 24 teams.

Why care about the Africa Cup of Nations 2025? It unites Africa, grows stars like Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, and brings money from tourism and TV. Billions watch on Sky Sports, ESPN, and NBC. Since 2019, 24 teams make it more open for underdogs like Comoros.

Sky Sports and NBC say this edition has high stakes. It links to the AFCON schedule 2025 for thrills. Get ready for surprises! While you’re in Morocco for the tournament, you might want to explore the country’s incredible natural wonders and landscapes between matches.

How to Watch AFCON 2025 and Stay Updated

Catch the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 on ESPN, Sky Sports, beIN Sports, and CAF’s online spots. Times are in GMT or EST – like 8 PM local in Morocco is 7 PM GMT. For the AFCON schedule 2025, check ESPN’s site for live scores.

Stay in the loop with CAF’s website for changes. Use apps from ESPN or France24 for alerts. Weather in winter Morocco is mild, but neutral sites could step in if needed. If you’re traveling from abroad to watch the matches, stay connected with an affordable eSIM from Airalo for seamless data coverage across Morocco.

NBC notes broadcasts make it easy worldwide. For international fans planning their trip, you may also want to check flight compensation options with Compensair in case of travel disruptions during the busy tournament period.

Conclusion

AFCON 2025 in Morocco runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. It kicks off with Morocco vs. Comoros and ends with the final in Rabat. The full schedule packs groups, knockouts, and stars across great venues.

Bookmark this for updates. This Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will bring epic soccer and history. Don’t miss the AFCON 2025 Morocco dates – pure excitement awaits! For those planning extended stays in Morocco, discover the best traditional riads in tournament host cities for an authentic Moroccan experience.