By Ahmed Mulange
RABAT, Morocco – The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finally kicks off in Morocco on December 21st, 2025.
Hosts Morocco will take to the field first a a Group A match against Comoros at the manificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Twenty-four teams, six host cities, nine stadiums and a football-mad nation are ready to welcome the Football bonanza which runs till January 18th, 2026.
The four-week tournament has been framed as a high-visibility dress rehearsal for the World Cup in 2030, when Morocco will be one of the main co-hosts, and the kingdom has embarked on one of the most aggressive infrastructure programs in African sporting history to prepare.
Mali and Zambia will take to the field on December 22 in another Group A match to be played at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
The same day will witness two Group B match with South Africa taking on Angola at the Marrakesh Stadium, while Egypt battle Zimbabwe at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir.
Egypt have lifted the AFCON title a record seven times, while Cameroon and Ghana have won it five and four times respectively. Nigeria and Ivory Coast have lifted the Cup three times each.
From the Council of East and central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone Sudan and Ethiopia have lifted the trophy once, while Zambia and South Africa from the COSAFA Zone have also won the Cup once.
Groups
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: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique
