Bold headline: Africa’s crown awaits in Morocco 2025 — the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations is back, bigger, and more dramatic than ever.
The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football championship will light up stadiums across Morocco, bringing a blend of tradition, innovation, and high-stakes competition. Fresh off their dramatic title triumph on home soil, Côte d’Ivoire arrive in Morocco as defending champions, aiming to extend their supremacy. Their target is a fifth continental title, which would put them on par with Ghana and bring them closer to the sport’s ultimate records — Egypt with seven titles and Cameroon with five.
This setup guarantees a tournament where every match matters, margins are razor-thin, and every contender travels with serious belief. Côte d’Ivoire must balance the swagger of champions with the resilience needed to navigate a field of increasingly ambitious challengers eager to rewrite the balance of power.
Across Africa, expectations are rising. The traditional powerhouses seek redemption after recent disappointments, while emerging teams sense a real opportunity to carve out historic chapters in AFCON lore. The Morocco 2025 edition promises an event defined by intensity, drama, and national pride — a stage where legacy collides with ambition and sparks spirited debates.
Dates and host country
The tournament runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, with Morocco hosting the continent’s flagship event for the second time in its history. This marks a return to hosting duties a decade after Morocco was forced to withdraw from the 2015 edition, and it aligns with a broader strategy of leveraging strong infrastructure, solid organization, and a rich football culture to position the country at the center of African sport. The event also complements Morocco’s wider sporting ambitions, including CAF celebrations and plans around the 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting.
The 24 qualified teams
The Morocco 2025 edition will feature 24 national teams that either sealed their spot through the qualifying rounds or qualified automatically as hosts. Here is the full list of qualified nations, noting each team’s mode of qualification, total final-phase appearances in the CAN, and their best-ever finish in the tournament:
- Morocco — Host nation — 20th appearance — Best: Winners (1976)
- Burkina Faso — 2nd in Group L — 14th — Best: Runners-up (2013)
- Cameroon — 1st in Group J — 22nd — Best: Winners (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)
- Algeria — 1st in Group E — 21st — Best: Winners (1990, 2019)
- DR Congo — 1st in Group F — 21st — Best: Winners (1968, 1974)
- Senegal — 1st in Group L — 18th — Best: Winners (2021)
- Egypt — 1st in Group C — 27th — Best: Winners (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
- Angola — 1st in Group F — 10th — Best: Quarter-finals (2008, 2010, 2023)
- Equatorial Guinea — 2nd in Group E — 5th — Best: Fourth place (2015)
- Côte d’Ivoire — 2nd in Group G — 26th — Best: Winners (1992, 2015, 2023)
- Gabon — 2nd in Group B — 9th — Best: Quarter-finals (1996, 2012)
- Uganda — 2nd in Group K — 8th — Best: Runners-up (1978)
- South Africa — 1st in Group K — 12th — Best: Winners (1996)
- Tunisia — 2nd in Group A — 22nd — Best: Winners (2004)
- Nigeria — 1st in Group D — 21st — Best: Winners (1980, 1994, 2013)
- Mali — 1st in Group I — 14th — Best: Runners-up (1972)
- Zambia — 1st in Group G — 19th — Best: Winners (2012)
- Zimbabwe — 2nd in Group J — 6th — Best: Group stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- Comoros — 1st in Group A — 2nd — Best: Round of 16 (2021)
- Sudan — 2nd in Group F — 10th — Best: Winners (1970)
- Benin — 2nd in Group D — 5th — Best: Quarter-finals (2019)
- Tanzania — 2nd in Group H — 4th — Best: Group stage (1980, 2019, 2023)
- Botswana — 2nd in Group C — 2nd — Best: Group stage (2012)
- Mozambique — 2nd in Group I — 6th — Best: Group stage (1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023)
Host stadiums and cities
Rabat
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex — 69,500 seats
- Al Barid Stadium — 18,000 seats
- Olympic Annex Stadium (Prince Moulay Abdellah) — 21,000 seats
- Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex — 22,000 seats
Casablanca
- Mohammed V Sports Complex — 45,000 seats
Agadir
- Agadir Grand Stadium — 41,144 seats
Marrakech
- Marrakech Grand Stadium — 41,245 seats
Fès
- Fès Sports Complex — 35,468 seats
Tangier
- Tangier Grand Stadium — 75,600 seats
Group stage draw and matchups
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: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Regulations and further details
For the competition’s detailed regulations, visit the official CAF regulatory document.
Match schedule
The tournament runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Notably, this edition marks the first winter CAN in its history, with opening action on 21 December 2025 and the final on 18 January 2026. For the complete match schedule, consult the official schedule publication.
Ticketing and fan access
Stadium access requires a FAN ID obtained via the Yalla App, mandatory for every supporter. After FAN ID validation, fans can purchase tickets exclusively through the official CAF platform. Hospitality packages are also available, offering premium tickets, food and beverages, entertainment, and private suites.
Official match ball
The official ball, named ITRI, is a collaboration between CAF and PUMA. Its design draws inspiration from Moroccan zellige patterns, featuring a central star and flowing lines that symbolize energy, movement, and unity across Africa. The name ITRI means “star” in Amazigh, nodding to the Moroccan flag and the tournament’s 24-nation field. It incorporates PUMA Orbita 6 technology to balance aesthetics with performance and will debut on 21 December 2025 during the opening match.
Fan parks and fan experience
Eight official Fan Parks will bring the action to communities nationwide. Open to FAN ID holders via the Yalla App, these parks offer live screenings, concerts, food, and interactive activities under the slogan “We Are Different.” Locations include Rabat (OLM Souissi Esplanade, Kasbah Témara Square), Casablanca (Espace Toro, Espace Météo), Agadir (La Marina), Fès (Botanical Garden), Marrakech (Bab Doukkala Square), and Tangier (Villa Harris Park).
Mascot and outreach
Assad, the Atlas Lion motif, is the tournament’s ambassador, symbolizing strength, pride, and African unity. He will energize venues, fan zones, and community programs while supporting grassroots football initiatives and youth development beyond the competition.
Controversy-ready note
This edition’s winter timing and the mix of traditional powers with rising teams invite debates about scheduling, competitive balance, and market opportunities across the continent. The question worth pondering: will this winter CAN reshape player availability and domestic leagues in a way that benefits or hinders national teams? Share your take in the comments.
Would you prefer a version that emphasizes a particular team’s chances more, or one that adds more tactical analysis of groups and likely fixtures?
