The final draw for the eagerly awaited 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been revealed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Twenty-four countries learned their group-stage opponents for Africa’s top men’s football competition on Monday night in Rabat. Only two of the 52 CAF member countries that took part in the qualifications were unable to advance.
48 teams were divided into 12 groups of four following a preliminary round, and they played home games and away games over six matchdays. Each group’s top two teams guaranteed their places in the competition.
The 2025 AFCON will be held over four weeks in six different cities, and only one country will be crowned the African champions. A summary of the tournament’s specifics and the whole group stage is provided below.
2025 AFCON Group Stage Draw
- Group A: Morocco (hosts), 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 (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Tournament Format and Schedule
The tournament kicks off on December 21, 2025, with group-stage matches running until December 31, excluding Christmas Day. The knockout stages will follow this schedule:
- Round of 16: January 3–6, 2026
- Quarter-finals: January 9–10, 2026
- Semi-finals: January 14, 2026
- Third-Place Playoff: January 17, 2026
- Final: January 18, 2026
The stage is set for an electrifying competition as Africa’s best teams compete for continental glory.
