Are you aware that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as AFCON 2025, will be the 35th edition of the biennial Africa Cup of Nations tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF)?
Do you also know that it will be the second edition hosted by Morocco, after hosting the showpiece in 1988?
Are you aware that Morocco was originally billed to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fear stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic?
Many football fans have wondered why the showpiece will be starting December, 2025 as against the usual January that many are familiar with. If you have been wondering why it is different, then here is the reason.
Due to FIFA’s expansion of its Club World Cup competition to 32 teams and having had it held between June and July 2025, this edition of the AFCON will be played between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.
It is also worthy to note that, this will be the first time that the tournament will be played over the Christmas and New Year period.
Another point, is that the situation has been further complicated by the addition of two extra match days scheduled for the last two weeks of January in the expanded 2025–26 UEFA Champions League season.
Again, the mundial, as announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) together with Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the Local Organizing Committee of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 will hold in 9 stadiums and 6 cities. The stadiums include:
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (capacity 69,500)
Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Stadium, Rabat (capacity 21,000)
Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat (capacity 22,000)
Stade El Barid, Rabat (capacity 18,000)
Grande Stade d’Agadir, Agadir (capacity 45,480)
Complexe Sportif de Fes, Fes (capacity 45,000)
Grande Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech (capacity 45,240)
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca (capacity 67,000)
Grande Stade de Tangier, Tangier (capacity 68,000)
*What Else Do You Know About AFCON 2025*?
Do you know that 24 teams drawn into 6 groups from A to F will feature in the showpiece. Here are the groups and countries:
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, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan.
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.
Do you also know that seven different winners have emerged in the past eight editions of the tournament? There is no gainsaying the fact that the tournament is likely to provide plenty of surprises.
*Who Do You Tip To Win The Trophy*?
Of a truth, the host Morocco is the overwhelming favourite to win the trophy. Currently, they are on a winning run of 18 consecutive victories – a world record in international football – stretching back to March 2024.
Aside Morocco, the likes of Senegal, Algeria, Egypt and holders, Ivory Coast have what it takes, to lift the coveted trophy.
In your assessment, whom do you think will go home with the trophy?
To Be Continued!
