AFCON 2025
🇲🇦 Morocco · CAF
21 December – 18 January 2026
24
Teams52
Matches6
Groups
Overview
Fixtures
Sun 21 December
Wed 24 December
Sun 28 December
Wed 31 December
Sat 3 January
Sun 4 January
Mon 5 January
Tue 6 January
Fri 9 January
Sat 10 January
Wed 14 January
Sat 17 January
Sun 18 January
Standings preview
Titles
2023🏆🇨🇮Ivory Coast3rd title
2021🏆🇸🇳Senegal1st title
2019🏆🇩🇿Algeria2nd title
2017🏆🇨🇲Cameroon5th title
Facts
- 24 national teams
- 6 groups of 4 teams
- 52 total matches
- Host country: Morocco
- 21 December 2025 → 18 January 2026
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Related competitions
24Teams
52Matches
6Groups
MoroccoHost
MoroccoChampion
The 35th Africa Cup of Nations
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations took place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. It was the 35th edition of the continental championship organized by CAF, and the second time Morocco served as host after the 1988 tournament.
Morocco lifted the trophy on home soil, defeating Senegal 3-0 after extra time in the final at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. It marked the country's second AFCON title following their maiden triumph in 1976.
Tournament Format
Twenty-four qualified nations were drawn into six groups of four. The top two from each group advanced to the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed teams. From there, single-elimination knockout rounds determined the champion.
| Stage | Matches | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (3 matchdays) | 36 | 24 |
| Round of 16 | 8 | 16 |
| Quarter-finals | 4 | 8 |
| Semi-finals | 2 | 4 |
| 3rd Place + Final | 2 | 4 |
Host Country & Venues
Morocco invested heavily in stadium infrastructure ahead of the tournament. Matches were held across six cities — Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, and Agadir — each bringing a distinct atmosphere to the competition.
The final was played at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, the historic ground that has hosted some of Moroccan football's most iconic moments.
Morocco's Path to Glory
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Morocco topped their group with three wins and progressed through the knockout rounds without conceding a goal until the semi-finals. The Atlas Lions carried the momentum of their 2022 World Cup fourth-place finish into continental dominance.
In the third-place match, Egypt and Nigeria played out a goalless draw before Egypt prevailed on penalties.
AFCON Through the Years
First held in Sudan in 1957 with just three nations, the Africa Cup of Nations has grown into one of football's great tournaments. Egypt hold the record with seven titles, followed by Cameroon with five.
1957
Inaugural AFCON
Egypt won the first edition in Sudan with just 3 teams
1976
Morocco's first title
Ethiopia hosted; Morocco beat Guinea in the final
1996
Expansion to 16 teams
South Africa hosted and won the tournament
2019
Expansion to 24 teams
Egypt hosted the first 24-team edition; Algeria won
2025
Morocco's second title
Morocco triumphed on home soil, beating Senegal 3-0 AET
Frequently asked questions
▶When and where was AFCON 2025 held?
The tournament ran from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 across six cities in Morocco: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, and Agadir.
▶Who won AFCON 2025?
Morocco defeated Senegal 3-0 after extra time in the final, claiming their second continental title after 1976.
▶How many teams participated?
Twenty-four nations competed, drawn into six groups of four. The top two per group plus the four best third-placed sides advanced to the knockout stage.
▶When is the next AFCON?
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be hosted by a venue yet to be confirmed by CAF.
