African football fans are counting down to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to ignite passion across the continent as Morocco hosts the event from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. This edition marks one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent history, featuring 24 national teams competing for the prestigious title in stadiums across six Moroccan cities. 

Hosts, Favorites & Tournament Expectations

Morocco returns as host of AFCON for the first time since 1988, aiming to make the most of home advantage in front of enthusiastic crowds. The Atlas Lions, Africa’s top-ranked team, have a strong record internationally and will be among the favorites alongside traditional powerhouses like Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, and defending champions Ivory Coast. 

AFCON 2025 Dates, Format & Schedule

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations runs for nearly a month as teams contest a total of 52 matches in group and knockout stages. The tournament begins on 21 December 2025 and concludes with the final on 18 January 2026. 

Opening Match

The competition opens with Morocco vs Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, a fitting kickoff on December 21, before moving into a full slate of group stage fixtures. 

Qualified Teams & Group Breakdown

The 24 teams competing in AFCON 2025 are divided into six groups. The top two from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout rounds. 

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

Fans can expect competitive matches from established giants to rising teams looking to make deep runs in the tournament. 

Select Group A Fixture Details 

Here are key confirmed dates and venues for Morocco’s Group A matches:

  • 21 December 2025 – Morocco vs Comoros — 8:00 PM at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
  • 26 December 2025 – Morocco vs Mali — 9:00 PM at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
  • 29 December 2025 – Morocco vs Zambia — 8:00 PM at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat 

(Note: Kick-off times vary by venue and matchday; confirm locally for exact schedules.)

How to Buy AFCON 2025 Tickets (Up-to-Date)

Official ticket sales opened on 13 October 2025 through the YALLA App and CAF’s ticketing platform. Supporters must first obtain a Fan ID via the YALLA App, which is mandatory for stadium entry. 

Key Ticket Access Rules

  • Fan ID registration through YALLA is required before tickets can be purchased.
  • E-visas for Morocco are free via the YALLA App for international fans attending AFCON 2025.
  • Tickets are sold through tickets.cafonline.com and must be paired with Fan ID to be valid. 

Prices vary by match, category, and venue, and tickets for popular fixtures, especially Morocco’s games, have seen high demand.

Important: Only ticket transfers or resales processed through CAF’s official resale tools are valid; tickets bought outside approved channels may be canceled. 

AFCON 2025 Host Cities & Stadiums

Matches will take place across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities, all upgraded or selected to international standards ahead of the tournament: 

Host Cities & Venues

Rabat

  • Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (≈69,500)
  • Moulay Hassan Stadium
  • Al Barid Stadium
  • Olympic Annexe Stadium

Casablanca

  • Stade Mohammed V

Tangier

  • Grand Stade de Tanger

Agadir

  • Grand Stade d’Agadir

Marrakech

  • Grand Stade de Marrakech

Fès

  • Fès Stadium

These world-class venues will host matches from the group stage through to the final, providing exceptional atmospheres for fans from across Africa and beyond.

Travel, Fan ID & Visa Info

To simplify travel and access, CAF and the Local Organising Committee have introduced free electronic visas for fans via the YALLA App. Applying for a Fan ID and e-visa at the same time ensures smoother entry, stadium access, and compliance with tournament regulations. 

Why AFCON 2025 Matters

AFCON 2025 isn’t just a football tournament, it’s a major sporting and cultural event for the continent. With massive interest from fans worldwide, state-of-the-art venues, and high-profile players, this edition is expected to be one of the most competitive and watched AFCON tournaments yet.

Whether you’re attending in person or following the competition from home, AFCON 2025 promises drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments in African football history.