
During the official draw, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will learn their group stage opponents for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
The draw will be held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, January 27th, at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT).
Reigning champions Ivory Coast, who triumphed on home soil in 2024 by defeating Nigeria in the final, will be looking to defend their title. Host nation Morocco will be seeking redemption after their quarterfinal exit at the hands of Hugo Broos’ South Africa in the previous edition. Bafana Bafana, having achieved a commendable semifinal finish and secured the bronze medal against DR Congo in 2024 after losing to Nigeria in the final four, will aim to surpass their previous performance.
The 24 Qualified Teams for AFCON 2025
Morocco (Hosts), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Sudan, Benin, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique.
Qualifying Process:
Morocco automatically qualified as the host nation. The remaining 23 spots were determined through a competitive qualifying phase held from September to November 2024. Forty-eight nations were divided into twelve groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the finals in Morocco. The qualifiers featured intense competition from prominent teams such as defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria, all of whom successfully qualified. Notably absent from the tournament will be Ghana and Guinea.
Key Tournament Dates
Opening Match: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Final Match: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Stadiums
Although the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has not yet formally announced the official venues, several prominent stadiums are anticipated to host matches during AFCON 2025. These iconic locations include:
Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca: This historic stadium, which hosted the 1988 AFCON final, is expected to be a central venue for the tournament.
Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat: Currently undergoing expansion to increase capacity, this stadium is also expected to play a key role.
Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier: With an expanded capacity, this stadium is slated to host some of the tournament’s most significant matches.
Adrar Stadium, Agadir: Known for its picturesque setting and modern facilities, Adrar Stadium is also undergoing expansion in preparation for the tournament.
Marrakech Stadium, Marrakech: This popular stadium is likely to host numerous matches and be a focal point for fans.
Fez Stadium, Fez: Offering a more traditional atmosphere, Fez Stadium will contribute to the diverse experiences available to fans.