Exciting Draw for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Confirmed in Morocco

The highly anticipated draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was revealed on Monday evening, setting the stage for a thrilling continental football tournament. The draw ceremony took place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, with football legends and officials in attendance.

The 35th edition of AFCON will be hosted by Morocco, with 24 teams set to compete in 54 matches across nine stadiums. The tournament promises to deliver world-class football in a country known for its rich football heritage and modern infrastructure, ensuring an unforgettable experience for fans across the continent.

The tournament will commence on 21 December 2025, with the opening match featuring hosts Morocco against Comoros. The competition will run until 18 January 2026, showcasing the best of African football.

Morocco, as the host nation, has been placed in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire will face a challenging group, drawn in Group F with Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Côte d’Ivoire, who lifted the trophy in 2023, will begin their title defense against Mozambique in Marrakesh on December 24.

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, will start their campaign in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Uganda, which missed out on the 2023 tournament, makes its return after finishing second in their qualifying group.

In one of the most highly anticipated groupings, Egypt has been drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, with the Pharaohs, led by Mohamed Salah, looking to continue their success in the tournament.

Group D will see Senegal take on DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana, while Group E includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan, with Algeria looking to bounce back after early exits in the previous two tournaments.

Group C promises to be one of the most competitive groups, with Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania all showing strong performances in the qualification stages. Nigeria, having topped their qualifying group with 11 points, will be expected to advance to the knockout stage. Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania each finished second in their respective groups, making them formidable opponents.

The tournament will also feature some thrilling regional rivalries. In Group A, the match between Morocco and Mali will be one to watch, while Group F will feature the intense clash between Ivory Coast and Cameroon. Senegal, who lifted their first AFCON title in 2021, will look to defend their crown, with Group D offering exciting fixtures against DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana.

The 2025 AFCON will be played across six cities, with the Grande Stade de Tanger standing out as the largest venue. Rabat will lead the way, hosting the highest number of matches with four stadiums. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in collaboration with the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has shown great readiness in ensuring that the tournament is a world-class event, blending modern infrastructure with the passion and energy of African football.