The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is promising to be another exciting opportunity for football rivalry in Morocco. The tournament will start in the exciting capital city of Rabat. With 24 teams battling for supremacy, the event is sure to be a breathtaking display of skill and patriotism. This year’s edition will have participants drawn into six groups, with the top teams advancing through a knockout stage comprised of a total of 68 matches.
The tournament will be played in nine stunning venues throughout six cities, against the tapestry of Morocco’s vibrant cultural heritage. The group stage of the tournament will extend through December 31. From there, the knockout rounds start on January 3. The competition’s unusual structure allows for the top two teams from each group to move directly to the knockout stage. Plus, the four highest-ranked third-placed teams will advance too.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
AFCON 2025 will boast a carefully crafted, full-proof timetable aimed at ensuring maximum excitement and expectation from fans across the entire tournament. The knockout stage will bring a momentous conclusion to the tournament from January 1 to January 19. All of this will lead to a dramatic final battle for qualification. Each cohort will include a diverse mix of four teams, all competing for the opportunity to advance.
After the group stage, the knockout round will begin on January 3 with the round of 16. This structure creates incredibly high stakes for each of the qualified teams as they compete to make it through. That intensity will only become more pronounced as the tournament advances through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and eventually to the final championship match.
One thing is for certain, those knockout rounds are going to be exciting! Every game is do or die, one defeat could end a competitor’s hope of raising the trophy. A third-place playoff will be held between the two losing semifinalists, providing one last chance at glory, on January 18.
Venue Highlights
The venues selected for AFCON 2025 demonstrate Morocco’s determination to provide an exceptional experience in a world-class event. The 53,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital, Rabat, is due to be the tournament’s showpiece stadium. With a seating capacity of 69,500, it will welcome thousands of fans for both the final match and other key fixtures.
Alongside Rabat, matches will be hosted in Fes, Abda, Casablanca, Tangier. This vast, varied geographical distribution underscores the need for nationwide solidarity. It provides supporters from all the different countries represented the chance to enjoy the thrills of AFCON. Ranging from vibrant metropolitan areas to beautiful natural settings, each host community provides its own distinctive environment and charm for participants and fans.
Participating Teams and Group Stage Dynamics
It’s that very competitive spirit that makes the tournament so engrossing. It continues to feature some of the best, most diverse talent from the 24 participating teams. With each team entering with their own unique flair and style of play and strategy to the pitch, expect an unpredictable, electric, heart-racing atmosphere. Fans will have the opportunity to witness the rising stars of world football, as well as household names, display their talents on an international stage.
Just the draw for the groups has proven incredibly exciting with plenty of mentions in the media among fans and analysts. With teams divided into well-balanced geographic distributions, each game might be a make-or-break matter in deciding who moves on to the so-called “octagonal phase.” The competition’s knockout format fuels fierce rivalries and unforgettable moments that have made AFCON famous.
