Soccer fans across the world are about to witness one of the most exciting tournaments on the planet, and it’s not the World Cup. The Africa Cup of Nations is kicking off in Morocco, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one. With superstar players like Mo Salah hunting for his first continental trophy and hosts Morocco dreaming of glory on home soil, AFCON 2025 is set to deliver drama, incredible goals, and moments that soccer fans will talk about for years.
What Exactly is AFCON?
If you’ve never watched the Africa Cup of Nations before, here’s the deal. AFCON is the biggest soccer tournament in Africa. It happens every two years and brings together the best national teams from across the continent. Think of it like the European Championship, but for African countries. The tournament has been running since 1957, making it one of the oldest continental championships in the world.
This year marks the 35th edition of AFCON, and Morocco is hosting for the first time since way back in 1988. That’s almost 40 years ago! The Moroccan fans are beyond hyped, and their team is one of the favorites to win it all.
When and Where is it Happening?
AFCON 2025 runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. Yes, that means soccer over Christmas and New Year’s. This is actually the first time in the tournament’s history that it’s being played during the holiday season. Usually, AFCON takes place in January and February, but scheduling changes with other big tournaments pushed it to this unique winter window.
Morocco is hosting games in six different cities across nine stadiums. The biggest venue is the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, which can hold over 75,000 fans. The final will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, a stadium that fits nearly 69,000 people. Imagine the atmosphere when the home crowd packs that place!
24 Teams, One Dream
Twenty-four national teams qualified for this tournament, and they’ve been split into six groups of four. After the group stage wraps up on December 31, the top two teams from each group move on to the knockout rounds. But here’s the twist: the four best third-place teams also advance, giving more nations a shot at glory.
Here are all six groups heading into the tournament:
- 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, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea
- Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Every team in this tournament has played at AFCON before, and twelve of them are former champions. That means there’s no shortage of experience and winning pedigree on display.
The Defending Champions
Ivory Coast won AFCON 2024 in dramatic fashion. They hosted the tournament and pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in the competition’s history. After struggling early on, they found their form at the perfect time and beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final. Now they’re back in Group F, and they’ll be looking to defend their title. If they win again, it would be their fourth AFCON trophy overall.
Star Players to Watch
This tournament is loaded with talent. Some of the biggest names in world soccer will be competing, and a few of them have something to prove.
Mo Salah is the biggest story heading into AFCON 2025. The Liverpool legend has won almost everything at club level, but an AFCON title has always slipped away from him. Egypt has lost two finals with Salah on the team, in 2017 and 2022. At 33 years old, this might be his best remaining chance to finally lift that trophy. Egypt has won AFCON seven times, more than any other country, but their last title came back in 2010. Salah and the Pharaohs are hungry to add number eight.
Victor Osimhen is another player carrying massive expectations. The Nigerian striker is on fire right now, scoring goals for fun at Galatasaray. He has 31 goals for Nigeria, which puts him just six goals away from breaking the country’s all-time scoring record held by the legendary Rashidi Yekini. Nigeria lost the final to Ivory Coast in 2024, so Osimhen and the Super Eagles want revenge.
Achraf Hakimi is the heart and soul of the Moroccan team. The PSG defender was named African Footballer of the Year in 2024 and helped lead Morocco to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. Playing in front of his home fans is a dream scenario, but there’s been some concern about an ankle injury. Morocco’s coach says Hakimi should be ready to go, which is great news for the hosts.
Sadio Mane brings championship experience to Senegal. He led his country to their first ever AFCON title in 2022 and knows what it takes to win this tournament. At 33, Mane is still one of Africa’s most dangerous attackers.
Who Are the Favorites?
Morocco has the best chance to win according to most experts. Playing at home with passionate fans behind them gives the Atlas Lions a huge advantage. Their squad is stacked with players from top European clubs, and they’ve been dominant in recent years.
Egypt is right behind them. With Salah leading the attack and Omar Marmoush joining from Manchester City, the Pharaohs have serious firepower. Their seven previous titles give them a winning mentality that other teams simply don’t have.
Nigeria, Senegal, and defending champions Ivory Coast round out the top contenders. Any of these teams could realistically lift the trophy on January 18.
What’s at Stake?
Beyond national pride, there’s also some serious money on the line. The winning team takes home $10 million, which is a big jump from the $7 million prize from the 2024 tournament. That extra motivation should make the knockout rounds even more intense.
Why You Should Watch
AFCON is pure entertainment. The atmosphere at African soccer matches is unlike anything else in the sport. Fans bring drums, songs, and incredible energy that makes every game feel like a party. The skill level is world class, with many players competing in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and other top leagues.
Whether you’re a hardcore soccer fan or just looking for something exciting to watch over the holidays, AFCON 2025 has you covered. Turn on the tournament, pick a team to root for, and enjoy the show. Africa’s biggest soccer party is officially underway.
