New Delhi: The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has set the stage for Africa’s premier football competition. At a glittering ceremony in Rabat, the 24 participating nations were placed into six groups, promising intense regional rivalries and captivating contests when the tournament kicks off on 21 December 2025. Hosts Morocco will play the opening match against Comoros, with the final scheduled for 18 January 2026 at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
What is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the continent’s most prestigious football competition, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Held every two years, it showcases Africa’s top football talent and serves as a platform for nations to compete for continental glory. This year, Morocco, an experienced host nation, has taken over the tournament’s reins after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights due to infrastructure concerns.
Key highlights from the draw
AFCON 2025 draw: Ivory Coast to face Cameroon as groups set in Morocco. (Image via REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki)
Holders Ivory Coast will face a challenging Group F lineup, where they are drawn alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. The Elephants’ star-studded squad will need to navigate this tricky group to defend their title.
Runners-up Nigeria have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, with the intriguing addition of Uganda and Tanzania. This East African derby will be one to watch, as both teams are also co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON.
Group B features a southern African clash with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe competing against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, promising an exciting battle for the top two spots.
Senegal, winners of the 2021 edition, find themselves in Group D with DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana. Meanwhile, Algeria leads Group E, where they face Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan, a nation that has qualified despite ongoing civil conflict.
AFCON 2025 groups in full
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Egypt | Nigeria | Senegal | Algeria | Ivory Coast |
| Mali | South Africa | Tunisia | DR Congo | Burkina Faso | Cameroon |
| Zambia | Angola | Uganda | Benin | Equatorial Guinea | Gabon |
| Comoros | Zimbabwe | Tanzania | Botswana | Sudan | Mozambique |
Morocco prepares for a grand stage
Morocco, already hosting this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, has planned an elaborate setup for AFCON 2025. Matches will be held across nine stadiums in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier. Rabat will house four stadiums, with the grand final taking place at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.
The draw was conducted by celebrated football personalities, including Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier of Ivory Coast, and Joseph Yobo of Nigeria. Senegal’s former coach Aliou Cisse, who guided the Teranga Lions to their 2021 AFCON triumph, also assisted in the event.
With the draw concluded, fans eagerly await Africa’s biggest sporting spectacle, hoping for dramatic upsets, star performances, and unforgettable moments.
The AFCON 2025 group stage draw in Morocco will decide matchups for Africa’s top football teams. Fans can watch the live event on FanCode India at 12:30 AM IST. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
