The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will get underway on Sunday, December 21, with host nation Morocco scheduled to face off with Comoros. The tournament, which is the 35th edition, will feature 24 countries determined to sell African football while fighting for glory.In all, 52 matches will be played throughout the tournament across nine stadiums, with the grand finale scheduled for January 18, 2026.With millions watching, here are the various groups for AFCON 2025.Group AMoroccoMaliZambiaComorosGroup BEgyptSouth AfricaAngolaZimbabweGroup CNigeriaTunisiaUgandaTanzaniaGroup DSenegalDR CongoBeninBotswanaGroup EAlgeriaBurkina FasoEquatorial GuineaSudanGroup FIvory CoastCameroonGabonMozambiqueThe Opening MatchMoroccans have been waiting for this day to come since the AFCON qualifiers were completed early this year.As the tournament kicks off in Rabat, the Atlas Lions will play their first match against their counterparts from Comoros.The Group A opener is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay.
In a matter of hours, the stage opens at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 is about to begin. pic.twitter.com/7z0RJF5nQ2 TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 21, 2025AFCON 2025 StructureAs confirmed by CAF before the draw, there will be no change to the existing format, with 24 teams drawn into six groups of four.As has happened in past tournaments, the top two nations from each group will qualify for the round of 16. They will be joined by the best-ranked four third-place teams.Subsequently, it will be a straight knockout competition where theremaining teams will battle to go as far as possible.Favourites to win AFCON 2025After years of preparations, Morocco stand a huge chance of winning AFCON 2025. According to Opta projection, the Atlas Lions have a 19% chance of winning the title.Morocco head into the tournament as the highest-ranked African side in the FIFA World Ranking. For a side that reached the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they could complete a historic host and win at this years AFCON.Defending champions Ivory Coast have managed to maintain their winning mentality in the run-up to this tournament and are counted among the favourites.Other contenders include Egypt, led by superstar Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, one-time champion Senegal, and Tunisia.
Source link
