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.
SEE ALSO | AFCON Legends: Top All-Time Highest Goal Scorers
All Results will be updated here
GROUP A
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco (H) | 3 | 2-1-0 | +5 | 7 | Qualified |
| 2 | Mali | 3 | 0-3-0 | 0 | 3 | Qualified |
| 3 | Comoros | 3 | 0-2-1 | -2 | 2 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Zambia | 3 | 0-2-1 | -3 | 2 | Eliminated |
Match Results
- Dec 21: Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat)
- Dec 22: Mali 1-1 Zambia (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
- Dec 26: Zambia 0-0 Comoros (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
- Dec 26: Morocco 1-1 Mali (Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat)
- Dec 29: Zambia 0-3 Morocco (Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat)
- Dec 29: Comoros 0-0 Mali (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
Key Talking Points
- Morocco topped the group with 7 points, securing qualification with a dominant 3-0 final day victory over Zambia
- Mali advanced without winning a single match (0-3-0), drawing all three games in a remarkable defensive display
- Four of six matches ended in draws, making this the most defensively solid group of the tournament
- Comoros exited without scoring a single goal despite earning two draws against Zambia and Mali
- Morocco played all three matches at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, establishing complete home advantage
GROUP B
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 3 | 2-1-0 | +2 | 7 | Qualified |
| 2 | South Africa | 3 | 2-0-1 | +1 | 6 | Qualified |
| 3 | Angola | 3 | 0-2-1 | -2 | 2 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Zimbabwe | 3 | 0-1-2 | -2 | 1 | Eliminated |
Match Results
- Dec 22: South Africa 2-1 Angola (Marrakesh Stadium)
- Dec 22: Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
- Dec 26: Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe (Marrakesh Stadium)
- Dec 26: Egypt 1-0 South Africa (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
- Dec 29: Angola 0-0 Egypt (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
- Dec 29: Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa (Marrakesh Stadium)
Key Talking Points
- Egypt topped the group with clinical 1-0 and 2-1 victories in their opening two matches
- Egypt’s 1-0 victory over South Africa on December 26 proved decisive in determining the group winner
- South Africa secured second place with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Zimbabwe on the final matchday
- Angola missed qualification by one point despite two draws including a clean sheet against Egypt
- Zimbabwe earned just 1 point despite three competitive performances, losing all matches by single-goal margins
GROUP C
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 3 | 3-0-0 | +4 | 9 | Qualified |
| 2 | Tunisia | 3 | 1-1-1 | +1 | 4 | Qualified |
| 3 | Tanzania | 3 | 0-2-1 | -1 | 2 | Qualified (3rd) |
| 4 | Uganda | 3 | 0-1-2 | -5 | 1 | Eliminated |
Match Results
- Dec 23: Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania (Fez Stadium)
- Dec 23: Tunisia 3-0 Uganda (Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex, Rabat)
- Dec 27: Uganda 1-1 Tanzania (Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex, Rabat)
- Dec 27: Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia (Fez Stadium)
- Dec 30: Uganda 1-3 Nigeria (Fez Stadium)
- Dec 30: Tanzania 1-1 Tunisia (Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex, Rabat)
Key Talking Points
- Nigeria achieved a perfect record with maximum 9 points, the only team alongside Algeria to win all three group matches
- Every match in Group C featured goals, with Nigeria’s 3-2 thriller against Tunisia being the standout entertainment
- Nigeria won all three matches at Fez Stadium, making it their impenetrable fortress
- Tanzania advanced as fourth-best third-place team with just 2 points, benefiting from superior goals scored over Angola
- Tunisia recovered from a 2-3 defeat to Nigeria with crucial draws to secure second place with 4 points
GROUP D
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegal | 3 | 2-1-0 | +6 | 7 | Qualified |
| 2 | DR Congo | 3 | 2-1-0 | +4 | 7 | Qualified |
| 3 | Benin | 3 | 1-0-2 | -3 | 3 | Qualified (3rd) |
| 4 | Botswana | 3 | 0-0-3 | -7 | 0 | Eliminated |
Match Results
- Dec 23: DR Congo 1-0 Benin (Al Barid Stadium, Rabat)
- Dec 23: Senegal 3-0 Botswana (Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier)
- Dec 27: Benin 1-0 Botswana (Al Barid Stadium, Rabat)
- Dec 27: Senegal 1-1 DR Congo (Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier)
- Dec 30: Benin 0-3 Senegal (Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier)
- Dec 30: Botswana 0-3 DR Congo (Al Barid Stadium, Rabat)
Key Talking Points
- Senegal and DR Congo finished perfectly level on 7 points and 2-1-0 records, separated only by goal difference (+6 vs +4)
- Senegal secured top spot with a dominant 3-0 final day victory over Benin at Ibn Batouta Stadium
- Senegal scored 7 goals and conceded just 1 across three matches, all played at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier
- Botswana suffered the tournament’s worst performance with 0 points, 0 goals scored, and 7 conceded
- Benin qualified as third-place team with 3 points despite losing both matches after their opening victory
GROUP E
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 3 | 3-0-0 | +6 | 9 | Qualified |
| 2 | Burkina Faso | 3 | 2-0-1 | +2 | 6 | Qualified |
| 3 | Sudan | 3 | 1-0-2 | -4 | 3 | Qualified (3rd) |
| 4 | Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 0-0-3 | -4 | 0 | Eliminated |
Match Results
- Dec 24: Burkina Faso 1-2 Equatorial Guinea (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
- Dec 24: Algeria 3-0 Sudan (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat)
- Dec 28: Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Sudan (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
- Dec 28: Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat)
- Dec 31: Equatorial Guinea 1-3 Algeria (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat)
- Dec 31: Sudan 0-2 Burkina Faso (Mohammed V, Casablanca)
Key Talking Points
- Algeria joined Nigeria as the only teams with perfect 9-point records, winning all three matches with a combined 7-0 scoreline
- Burkina Faso recovered from a shock 1-2 opening defeat to Equatorial Guinea with two consecutive victories to finish second
- Algeria dominated at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, winning all three matches without conceding a goal
- Sudan finished third with 3 points but -4 goal difference, the worst among third-place qualifiers yet still advancing
- Equatorial Guinea’s 2-1 upset over Burkina Faso proved their only bright moment in a 0-point campaign
GROUP F
Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Matches | W-D-L | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivory Coast | 3 | 2-1-0 | +2 | 7 | Qualified |
| 2 | Cameroon | 3 | 2-1-0 | +2 | 7 | Qualified |
| 3 | Mozambique | 3 | 1-0-2 | -1 | 3 | Qualified (3rd) |
| 4 | Gabon | 3 | 0-0-3 | -3 | 0 | Eliminated |
*Ivory Coast won the group on goals scored tiebreaker (5 goals vs 4 goals)
Match Results
- Dec 24: Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique (Marrakesh Stadium)
- Dec 24: Cameroon 1-0 Gabon (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
- Dec 28: Gabon 2-3 Mozambique (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
- Dec 28: Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon (Marrakesh Stadium)
- Dec 31: Gabon 2-3 Ivory Coast (Marrakesh Stadium)
- Dec 31: Mozambique 1-2 Cameroon (Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
Key Talking Points
- Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished identical on points (7), record (2-1-0), and goal difference (+2), separated only by goals scored
- Ivory Coast claimed top spot by scoring 5 goals to Cameroon’s 4, the narrowest possible tiebreaker margin
- All three matches on final matchday were 3-2 thrillers, providing incredible entertainment
- Mozambique topped the third-place rankings with 3 points and -1 goal difference, the best record among qualifiers
- Gabon scored 4 goals but finished with 0 points, losing all three matches by single-goal margins
THIRD-PLACE RANKINGS
Final Table
| Pos | Team | Group | Matches | W-D-L | GF-GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mozambique | F | 3 | 1-0-2 | 4-5 | -1 | 3 | ✓ Qualified |
| 2 | Benin | D | 3 | 1-0-2 | 1-4 | -3 | 3 | ✓ Qualified |
| 3 | Sudan | E | 3 | 1-0-2 | 1-5 | -4 | 3 | ✓ Qualified |
| 4 | Tanzania | C | 3 | 0-2-1 | 3-4 | -1 | 2 | ✓ Qualified |
| 5 | Angola | B | 3 | 0-2-1 | 2-3 | -1 | 2 | ✗ Eliminated |
| 6 | Comoros | A | 3 | 0-2-1 | 0-2 | -2 | 2 | ✗ Eliminated |
Key Talking Points
- All third-place teams with 3 points qualified while all teams with 2 points missed out, establishing a clear threshold
- Tanzania advanced with just 2 points purely on goals scored (3) over Angola (2), the finest possible margin
- Sudan qualified despite the worst goal difference among qualifiers (-4) and scoring just 1 goal
- Mozambique finished as the best third-place team with 3 points and -1 goal difference
- Comoros finished last with 0 goals scored, highlighting how defensive football alone wasn’t enough
ROUND OF 16 – Knockout Stage
Match Results Table
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3 | 5pm | Senegal (1D) vs Sudan (3E) | 3-1 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan 3 | 8pm | Mali (2A) vs Tunisia (2C) | 1-1 (Mali 3-2 pens) | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Jan 4 | 4pm | Morocco (1A) vs Tanzania (3C) | 1-0 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 4 | 8pm | South Africa (2B) vs Cameroon (2F) | 1-2 | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 5 | 5pm | Egypt (1B) vs Benin (3D) | 3-1 (a.e.t.) | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Jan 5 | 8pm | Nigeria (1C) vs Mozambique (3F) | 4-0 | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Jan 6 | 5pm | Algeria (1E) vs DR Congo (2D) | 1-0 (a.e.t.) | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan 6 | 8pm | Ivory Coast (1F) vs Burkina Faso (2E) | 3-0 | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
Quarterfinalists
| Team | Group Position | Path to Quarters |
|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 1D | Defeated Sudan 3-1 |
| Mali | 2A | Defeated Tunisia 1-1 (3-2 pens) |
| Morocco | 1A | Defeated Tanzania 1-0 |
| Cameroon | 2F | Defeated South Africa 2-1 |
| Egypt | 1B | Defeated Benin 3-1 (a.e.t.) |
| Nigeria | 1C | Defeated Mozambique 4-0 |
| Algeria | 1E | Defeated DR Congo 1-0 (a.e.t.) |
| Ivory Coast | 1F | Defeated Burkina Faso 3-0 |
Quarterfinals
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 5 p.m. | Mali 0 – 1 Senegal | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Cameroon 0 – 2 Morocco | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 5 p.m. | Algeria 0 – 2 Nigeria | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Egypt 3 – 2 Ivory Coast | 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. | Senegal vs. Egypt | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan 14, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Nigeria vs. Morocco | 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
SEE ALSO | Countries That Have Never Qualified for the FIFA World Cup (2025 List)
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.
