The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations—AFCON 2025—is set to captivate soccer fans with a full schedule of fixtures, Afcon live scores, and updates. The tournament will begin on 21 December 2025 and continue until 18 January 2026.
The tournament will feature 24 African national teams that are competing across multiple cities in Morocco.
Thanks to this page, every soccer fan can track the latest AFCON results today, as well as fixtures, with just a few clicks. But that’s not all – if you want to build your knowledge even further, take a look at our Afcon page for a comprehensive guide to this continental battle.
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Choosing the right sportsbook for betting on the AFCON fixtures today matters as much as picking the right team. The best bookies combine fast in-play markets, high odds, updates and real-time stats, letting you instantly react to the pitch action.
Tournament Format & Structure for AFCON 2025
After an intense qualifying, 24 teams will be in Morocco competing for the international tournament. CAF still uses the well-known 24-team format, first adopted in 2019, which balances fairness and gives each team a chance to stand for itself.
This section thoroughly explains what bettors should expect as the competition unfolds—from the group stages to the knockout rounds, where basically everything is possible.
- Preliminary round: (8 lowest-ranked teams; home-and-away ties), played in March last year. After the AFCON qualifiers results are confirmed, the winners advance to the group stage.
- Groups: First, we start with the six groups (A-F), each featuring four national teams;
- Knockout stage: 16 teams advance to the knockout rounds – the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams across all the groups.
- Finals: Following the knockout rounds are the finals. The winner will be determined by the quarter-finals, Semi-Finals, and the battle between the last two teams.
This structure has helped with some of the most memorable AFCON campaigns. Will we see the same in Morocco? It’s just a matter of time before we find out.
AFCON Qualifiers & Group Standings
As we mentioned AFCON groups, it is time to get into the details about them and their participants. The final Afcon group standings draw was held in Rabat, Morocco, at the beginning of 2025. Here is the official AFCON table:
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Afcon Cup Key Facts: Dates, Host & Overview
Set to be held in some of the most modern stadiums on the whole continent, AFCON will bring together 24 national teams to compete for the continental crown.
Here, we’ve selected some of the highlights of this tournament, so you need to be aware of them to be just one simple look away.
- Host country: Morocco is a second-time host of Africa’s biggest soccer event, following the first year in 1988.
- Dates: The tournament will be run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, and it is fitted to avoid overlapping any other significant events.
- Number of teams participating: 24 teams will participate in the Afcon Cup
- Venues: Nine stadiums across six Moroccan cities will stage the matches, including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and others. Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat will also host the final.
- Change of schedule: AFCON is usually played in the June-July. However, due to conflicts with some European club seasons and climate considerations, the December-January window works better.
Best Teams to Follow in Afcon Cup
Traditionally, Afcon blends the pressure of the favourites with some underdogs. This year’s edition is stacked with teams featuring players from top European tournaments and some young and motivated squads from emerging nations. There is a strong list of contenders that each gambler should keep a closer eye on, and we are eager to talk about them.
- Morocco: Since their historic World Cup 2022 run, Morocco has become a benchmark for depth and discipline. They open the tournament as hosts, but also headline Group A with Mali, Zambia and Comoros. What’s their most significant advantage is the Europe-based core.
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- Senegal: While Senegal was drawn into the competitive Group D with DR Congo, Benin and Botswana, many predict that this team deserves a place near the top. As the AFCON 2021 champions, Senegal’s team is athletic and has strong depth, making it one of the leading contenders for the title this year.
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- Egypt: While Salah’s career is close to an end, he is still one of the most important players on the team. His performance pushed Egypt to the 2026 World Cup, and we believe that the team also has the ability to build a strategy for Group B clashes.
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- Algeria: The last few years were turbulent for Algeria, to say the least. However, they’ve managed to rebuild their team, and right now their ability to create chances is crucial. Afcon 2025 draw Algeria in Group E with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan, they have a favourable platform to assert dominance and continue to the knockout stage.
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- South Africa: Bafana Bafana is another team that went through a revival. Hugo Broos set an improved structure, clear roles, and enough depth to be among the top. South Africa is placed with Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Angola in Group B. Contrary to some other teams, South Africa does not rely on big names but instead believes in the team’s performance as a whole. That’s precisely what makes them dangerous. If you want to follow the Bafana Bafana fixtures Afcon, here is the right place to be.
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CAF Afcon Historical Highlights and Facts
AFCON began in 1957, with only three nations involved—Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia—and it was held in Sudan. The fourth nation that was planned to take part in this competition, South Africa, was disqualified because of racial segregation. Egypt was set as a winner in this first edition—the first of many victories over the years.
In the next two decades, CAF gained more traction and joined the federation. In 1968, it had grown to 8 teams and by 1980, it had become a pan-continental competition, and a symbol of the African nations’ unity.
The modern era began in the 1990s with the global rise of African soccer stars such as Roger Milla and George Weah. That’s also the period when broadcast and sponsor deals were made. Afcon began to rival the Euro and Copa America. This is also the time when the AFCON women were introduced. The first women Afcon was held in 1991 in Nigeria.
While the tournament’s history is pretty exciting, we’ve also included some facts to make it even more thrilling.
- Egypt is a record holder in this tournament. It is the country with the most titles won (7), most consecutive wins (3) between 2006 and 2010, and most appearances (26), making it one of the most successful teams on the continent.
- In 2012, Zambia made history by winning its first AFCON title. This success is much more emotional than you think since it was played in Libreville, just a few kilometres away from the crash site of the Zambian Air Force plane that crashed in 1993, carrying most of the Zambian national football team.
- Ivory Coast hosted the 2023 AFCON in 6 brand new stadiums across the country. However, 3 of them were built by…China. State-owned Beijing Construction Engineering Group helped with the planned infrastructure projects in an effort to expand its influence in Africa.
- In 2023, CAF reported record ticket sales – millions of seats sold within days, according to the statements. However, when the first match kicked off, it was an entirely different story. Thousands of empty seats across all stadiums and events. Later, it was found out that the federation boosted the sales numbers in an attempt to draw the sponsor’s attention, but failed miserably.
What Are the Expectations for AFCON 2025
As you already know, Afcon isn’t just another tournament but a mix of tactics, emotions, and discipline. Before making predictions or just wondering what to expect, check out our insights on what we think is valuable to know.
- Expect low-scoring games: the AFCON knockout stage averaged 1.9 goals per match, which is not much, to say the least. One defence mistake, one penalty, and everything can take a 180-degree turn. So, if you enjoy betting, Unders and Both teams to score—No is the safest approach.
- Hosts start strong: Morocco will enjoy home crowds, short travel and familiar stadiums. Historically, hosts lose only 20% of their group-stage games. Back them in the opening match and even the first rounds of the group stage, but be careful and watch out for fatigue later.
- Goalkeepers are way too important: Five of the last seven semi-finals involved extra time or penalties. In short, this means you need a sharp goalkeeper. Market-wise, track for potential to qualify for value.
- Schedule: December-January scheduling means players arrive fit and ready but tired. Teams with deep benches, such as Algeria and Senegal, are known for their frequent squad rotation, so your best bet is to follow up the lineup announcements before kickoff.
FAQ
When is the Afcon 2025 starting?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) officially kicks off on 21 December 2025.
Who will host AFCON 2025?
Morocco will host AFCON 2025 fixtures, its second time after first staging the tournament in 1988.
When is the AFCON final?
The AFCON 2025 final is scheduled for 18 January 2026, and it will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Who is most likely to win the AFCON?
Predictions favour three teams – Morocco, Senegal and Egypt.
Where to watch AFCON qualifiers?
AFCON 2025 qualifiers and tournament matches can be watched live on most bookmaker platforms through live streaming. Usually, to unlock this option, you only need to have a positive balance on your wallet.
How many teams qualify for AFCON 2025?
A total of 24 national teams have qualified for AFCON 2025, maintaining the expanded format introduced in 2019.
