Favourites, groups, key players, dates and how to watch
・When is AFCON 2025 and where is it played?
・Which teams are the main title favourites this time?
・Which star players should you watch from the start?
This guide summarises the most reliable official information already published for AFCON Morocco 2025 (dates, venues, groups) and then breaks down the main favourites and key players so you can enjoy the tournament more.
■AFCON 2025 basics (official)
AFCON 2025 will be hosted by Morocco and will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Format
24 teams, 6 groups (A–F). The top 2 in each group plus the 4 best third-placed teams qualify for the Round of 16, then knockout football all the way to the final.
Host cities and stadiums
Matches will be played across 6 cities and 9 stadiums (Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier).
Opening match and final
CAF’s published schedule states the tournament opens with Morocco vs Comoros (Group A) on 21 December 2025 in Rabat, and the final is scheduled for 18 January 2026 in Rabat.
Official full match schedule (PDF)
CAF has released the official match schedule document.
■Groups (final draw)
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: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
■Main title favourites (who can realistically win)
AFCON is famous for surprises, but a few teams clearly sit in the “top tier” based on squad depth, big-tournament experience and current level.
Morocco
Home advantage matters at AFCON, and Morocco are widely treated as one of the favourites. They open the tournament in Rabat, which could set the tone for their entire run.
Senegal
Senegal come in with a strong, proven core (including Mendy, Koulibaly, Mane). Their group is tricky, but they have the type of team that can win close knockout games.
Côte d’Ivoire
The defending champions enter a brutal Group F with Cameroon and Gabon. If they survive the group in good shape, their confidence and big-game know-how make them very dangerous.
Algeria
Two-time winners with a high-quality spine (Mahrez, Bennacer). Group E is not easy, but Algeria have the experience to manage tournament football.
Nigeria and Egypt (the “ceiling is the title” teams)
Nigeria can overwhelm opponents when the attack clicks; Egypt carry historic AFCON weight and can be extremely hard to eliminate in knockout football. Both are always in the conversation once the bracket opens up.
■Key players to watch (star power + game changers)
These are the names most likely to define AFCON 2025, based on current squads and widely reported key figures.
Morocco
Achraf Hakimi is one of the tournament’s biggest stars, and Morocco’s squad profile underlines their top-level European experience.
Senegal
Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson headline a group that can win matches in multiple ways.
Algeria
Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer are the marquee names, with Algeria’s quality spread across the pitch.
Group F heavy hitters
Côte d’Ivoire: Franck Kessie (and more proven talent around him).
Cameroon: Bryan Mbeumo is a key attacking reference.
Gabon: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brings elite finishing and experience.
Group A “dark horse energy”
Mali’s midfield strength is highlighted by Yves Bissouma and Amadou Haidara.
Zambia have Patson Daka, a classic short-tournament difference maker.
■Group-by-group storylines (fast guide)
Group A
Host Morocco are expected to lead, but Mali and Zambia can absolutely make this group uncomfortable.
Group B
Egypt vs South Africa is the headline. Angola and Zimbabwe are capable of shaping who finishes 1st/2nd/3rd.
Group C
Nigeria vs Tunisia is the matchup most likely to decide the top seed.
Group D
Senegal are favourites, but DR Congo have serious quality and experience (including Bakambu and Mbemba).
Group E
Algeria are the “big name”, Burkina Faso are dangerous, and Equatorial Guinea have proven they can punch above their weight.
Group F (the group of death)
Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon in the same group is already fireworks, and Gabon’s experience makes it even tighter. Expect the standings to stay alive until the last matchday.
■How to watch AFCON 2025 (Africa-focused)
Broadcast rights vary by territory, but these are the most relevant, official pointers for African audiences:
Sub-Saharan Africa
CAF has announced a broadcast rights partnership with SuperSport for AFCON Morocco 2025, including a dedicated tournament channel and multilingual commentary.
Francophone markets and CANAL+ footprint
CANAL+ has publicly communicated AFCON Morocco 2025 coverage in connection with its broader football offering and the wider rights ecosystem.
Morocco (host broadcaster and production)
Moroccan reporting indicates SNRT/Arryadia’s role in broadcast production for parts of the tournament, and SNRT has been described as the official broadcaster in Morocco-related coverage.
Tip for viewers
Use the official CAF match schedule for exact kickoff times, then convert to your local time zone (West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, etc.).
■Quick summary (English)
AFCON Morocco 2025 runs 21 Dec 2025 to 18 Jan 2026 across 6 Moroccan cities and 9 stadiums.
Favourites include Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria, with Nigeria and Egypt always capable of a title run.
If you want instant drama, start with Group F, and keep an eye on Morocco’s opening match atmosphere in Rabat.
Résumé en français (court)
La CAN 2025 au Maroc se joue du 21 décembre 2025 au 18 janvier 2026, dans 6 villes et 9 stades.
Les favoris principaux sont le Maroc, le Sénégal, la Côte d’Ivoire et l’Algérie, avec le Nigeria et l’Égypte comme menaces permanentes.
Le “groupe de la mort” est le groupe F (Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Gabon, Mozambique).
En Afrique subsaharienne, la diffusion est annoncée via SuperSport (selon CAF).
Sources (official / high-reliability)
CAF groups (final draw): https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/final-draw-for-the-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-morocco-2025-produces-intriguing-groups-for-continent-s-greatest-show/
CAF host cities & venues: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/caf-and-morocco-loc-announce-host-cities-and-venues-for-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-morocco-2025/
CAF match schedule announcement: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/caf-announce-match-schedule-for-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-morocco-2025/
CAF official match schedule PDF: https://www.cafonline.com/media/50ykqklv/match_schedule_totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations_morocco-25.pdf
CAF × SuperSport broadcast partnership: https://www.cafonline.com/inside-caf/news/caf-and-supersport-announce-broadcast-rights-partnership-for-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-morocco-2025/
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