The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicks off in December in Morocco, with many of the world’s best footballers taking part. It’s the biggest football tournament in Africa, and several top Premier League stars will be leaving their clubs to play for their countries.
Where is Afcon 2025 being held?
Afcon 2025 will take place in Morocco. The country has spent a lot of time and money improving its stadiums because it will also co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. This will be the first time World Cup matches are played in North Africa.
The main stadium for Afcon 2025 is the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which will host both the opening match and the final.
When is Afcon 2025?
The tournament runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Morocco will open the competition with a match against Comoros.
This will be the first time Afcon takes place over Christmas and New Year.
Which countries are in the tournament?
A total of 24 teams are taking part, split into six groups:
- 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: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Four-time champions Ghana surprisingly failed to qualify for this tournament.
Which Premier League players will be at Afcon?
Many Premier League players will miss several matches while they represent their countries at Afcon.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt) is one of the biggest stars to watch. There are even questions about whether he will return to Liverpool after the tournament.
- Manchester United will lose Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco).
- Manchester City will be without Omar Marmoush (Egypt) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria).
- Some clubs, like Arsenal and Chelsea, will not lose any players.
- Sunderland will be the most affected, with seven players heading to Afcon.
Who are the favourites?
Several strong teams could lift the Afcon trophy this year:
- Morocco, the hosts, are on an incredible run of 18 straight wins, scoring 50 goals and conceding only four.
- Ivory Coast, the defending champions, hope to win another title after going unbeaten in World Cup qualifying.
- Senegal, winners in 2021, are also in great form after an 8–0 victory over Kenya.
- DR Congo come in confident after beating both Cameroon and Nigeria in World Cup play-offs.
With seven different winners in the last eight Afcon tournaments, the competition is wide open — anything can happen.
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