The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) returns this December, and Morocco gets to host one of football’s most vibrant tournaments. Twenty-four nations will compete across six cities from December 21 through January 18, 2026, all chasing continental glory in what promises to be another memorable edition of African football’s showcase event.
Morocco earned automatic qualification as hosts and will kick off the entire tournament on December 21 against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions have waited a long time for this opportunity, and home advantage could finally help them claim a trophy that has eluded them throughout their history despite consistent, strong performances at AFCON over the years.
The tournament format remains the same as recent editions. Six groups of four teams each will battle through the group stage, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.
The four best third-place finishers also progress, creating a round of 16 that leads toward the final in Rabat on January 18.
Sure! I can create all the tables for the group stage, knockout stage, and match schedules in a clean, structured format. Here’s the full breakdown:
Tournament Dynamics and What to Watch
The group stage structure creates fascinating scenarios throughout the competition.
With four third-place teams advancing, groups that appear straightforward can suddenly become complex if results produce tight standings. A three-way tie on points, separated only by goal difference or goals scored, could determine who advances and who goes home.
Several storylines will dominate the tournament. Can Senegal defend their title and become back-to-back champions?
Will Egypt finally add to their record seven AFCON titles after years of disappointment? Can Nigeria rediscover the form that made them three-time champions? Will Ivory Coast successfully defend the trophy they won in 2024?
Morocco’s home campaign will captivate attention throughout. The Atlas Lions have the talent and now the home advantage to potentially claim their first AFCON title.
Their group appears manageable, but the knockout rounds will test whether they can handle the pressure of hosting and the expectation of a nation desperate for continental glory.
Home advantage for Morocco adds another compelling element. The Atlas Lions will have passionate support throughout their campaign, but hosting also brings pressure and expectation. Morocco has never won AFCON despite their strong footballing tradition, and this tournament represents perhaps its best opportunity to claim that elusive continental crown on home soil.
Cameroon and Algeria both arrive with pedigree and quality.
The Indomitable Lions are five-time champions, while the Desert Foxes won in 2019 and will want to challenge again. Both nations have the talent to go deep into the tournament if they find their best form.
Group F brings together Ivory Coast and Cameroon in what could be the group stage’s most compelling fixture. Both nations have won AFCON multiple times and will expect to advance, but their meeting on December 28 in Marrakesh could determine who tops the group and receives a more favorable knockout round path.
The expansion to 24 teams has created opportunities for nations like Comoros, Botswana, Tanzania, and Mozambique to compete on the continental stage. These teams may enter as underdogs, but AFCON has a history of producing surprises, and any of them could cause upsets if they catch bigger names on an off day.
The venue diversity across Morocco means teams will experience different conditions throughout the tournament. Matches in coastal cities like Tangier and Agadir bring different atmospheres compared to inland Rabat or Marrakesh.
Teams that adapt well to various environments will have an advantage as the tournament progresses through the knockout rounds.
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Group A
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco (hosts) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mali | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Comoros | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group A Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. | Morocco vs. Comoros | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Mali vs. Zambia | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Morocco vs. Mali | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Zambia vs. Comoros | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Zambia vs. Morocco | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Comoros vs. Mali | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
Group B
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Angola | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zimbabwe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group B Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Egypt vs. Zimbabwe | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | South Africa vs. Angola | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Egypt vs. South Africa | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Angola vs. Zimbabwe | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Angola vs. Egypt | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Zimbabwe vs. South Africa | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
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Group C
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Uganda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tanzania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group C Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Nigeria vs. Tanzania | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Tunisia vs. Uganda | Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex St., Rabat |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Nigeria vs. Tunisia | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Uganda vs. Tanzania | Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex St., Rabat |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Uganda vs. Nigeria | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Tanzania vs. Tunisia | Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex St., Rabat |
Group D
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DR Congo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Benin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Botswana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group D Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Senegal vs. Botswana | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | DR Congo vs. Benin | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Senegal vs. DR Congo | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Benin vs. Botswana | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Benin vs. Senegal | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Botswana vs. DR Congo | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
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Group E
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burkina Faso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sudan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group E Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Algeria vs. Sudan | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 24, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Burkina Faso vs. Equatorial Guinea | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Dec 28, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Algeria vs. Burkina Faso | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 28, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. | Equatorial Guinea vs. Sudan | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Equatorial Guinea vs. Algeria | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Sudan vs. Burkina Faso | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
Group F
| Team | Matches | W | L | D | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gabon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mozambique | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group F Match Schedule
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Dec 24, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Cameroon vs. Gabon | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Dec 28, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Dec 28, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Gabon vs. Mozambique | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Gabon vs. Ivory Coast | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 8:30 p.m. | Mozambique vs. Cameroon | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
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The Knockout Stage
Once the group stage concludes on December 31, the round of 16 begins on January 3. The top two teams from each group advance automatically, joined by the four best third-place finishers. This creates a 16-team knockout bracket that leads toward the final in Rabat on January 18.
Here’s the full Knockout Stage structured in clear tables, covering the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-Place Playoff, and Final:
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Group D winners vs. 3rd-place B/E/F | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan 3, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group A runners-up vs. Group C runners-up | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Jan 4, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Group A winners vs. 3rd-place C/D/E | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 4, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group B runners-up vs. Group F runners-up | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Group B winners vs. 3rd-place A/C/D | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group C winners vs. 3rd-place A/B/F | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Group E winners vs. Group D runners-up | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group F winners vs. Group E runners-up | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals take place on January 9 and 10, narrowing the field to four nations. These matches often determine tournaments, where tactical adjustments and individual brilliance make the difference between advancing to the semifinals and heading home.
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Winners RO16 2 vs. Winners RO16 1 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan 9, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 4 vs. Winners RO16 3 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 10, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Winners RO16 7 vs. Winners RO16 6 | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Jan 10, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 5 vs. Winners RO16 8 | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
Semifinals
The semifinals on January 14 determine which two nations contest the final. Both matches take place on the same day, with the first in Tangier at 6 p.m. and the second in Rabat at 8:30 p.m.
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Winners QF 1 vs. Winners QF 4 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan 14, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners QF 3 vs. Winners QF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
Third-Place Playoff
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | Losers SF 1 vs. Losers SF 2 | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
Final
The final takes place on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 8 p.m.
The venue holds special significance as the site where Morocco’s tournament journey begins with the opening match and where one nation will ultimately lift the trophy nearly a month later.
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | Winners SF 1 vs. Winners SF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
Where to watch AFCON 2025
Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport, Canal+ Afrique
United Kingdom: Sky Sports
USA: beIN Sports
Australia: Optus Sport
India: FanCode, SonyLIV
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Looking Ahead
AFCON 2025 promises everything that makes African football compelling. The group stage brings together established powers, emerging nations, and determined underdogs, all competing on equal footing once matches begin.
The knockout rounds will provide drama, tension, and the kind of moments that define tournaments.
Morocco’s six cities will showcase the host nation while determining continental supremacy.
From Tangier in the north to Agadir in the south, from Rabat and Casablanca on the coast to Fez and Marrakesh inland, the tournament will spread across the country and capture the imagination of football fans across Africa and beyond.
The tournament begins on December 21 with Morocco facing Comoros in Rabat and concludes on January 18 with the final at the same venue.
Twenty-four nations start with dreams of glory, but only one will lift the trophy. The journey from group stage through knockout rounds will provide a month of compelling football, tactical battles, individual brilliance, and the passion that makes AFCON special.
