AFCON 2025 Fixtures: Africa’s Premier Football Tournament Unfolds in Morocco

Tournament Overview and Significance

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 takes place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, marking a historic moment as it is the first time that the tournament is played over the Christmas and New Year period. This scheduling change reflects the evolving football calendar, with FIFA expanding its Club World Cup competition to 32 teams and having it scheduled for June and July 2025. The tournament brings together twenty-four of Africa’s men’s national football teams, competing across nine venues in six cities for continental supremacy.

Group Stage and Knockout Format

The competition structure features 24 teams divided into six groups (A-F) of four teams each. Following the group stage, which concluded on 31 December, the top two teams from each group, along with four of the best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage. The Round of 16 matches have been taking place from 3-6 January, featuring exciting clashes such as Nigeria’s commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique and host nation Morocco’s progression past Tanzania.

Road to the Final

The quarter-final matches will be played from 9-10 January 2026, with the semi-finals to follow on 13 January. The knockout stage has already delivered drama, with defending champions Ivory Coast, hosts Morocco, and 2021 winners Senegal all advancing to the quarter-finals. The final is scheduled for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, where a new champion will be crowned. Morocco enters as favourites, seeking their first AFCON title since 1976, while reigning champions Ivory Coast aim to defend their crown. The tournament’s compressed schedule ensures non-stop action for football fans, with matches broadcast globally as Africa’s finest compete for continental glory.