AFCON 2025 Schedule, Key Dates and Fixtures

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) is set to be one of the biggest football tournaments of the year — and football fans around the world are gearing up for exciting action in Morocco. The 35th edition of AFCON promises thrilling matches, packed stadiums, and national pride on full display.

Here are the AFCON key dates, group stage fixtures, and schedule, and much more.

AFCON 2025: Overview and Key Dates

• Host Country: Morocco
• Tournament Name: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON 2025)
• Start Date: 21 December 2025
• End Date: 18 January 2026
• Number of Teams: 24
• Total Venues: 9 stadiums in 6 cities across Morocco

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will take place during the Christmas and New Year period, making it a unique and festive competition this year.

Group Stage Fixtures and Schedule

The group stage kicks off on 21 December 2025 and runs through 31 December 2025. Each of the six groups has four teams competing for a spot in the knockout stages.

Match Schedule – Group Stage

Sunday, 21 December 2025

• Morocco vs Comoros – Opening match in Rabat

Monday, 22 December 2025

• Mali vs Zambia – Casablanca
• Egypt vs Zimbabwe – Agadir
• South Africa vs Angola – Marrakech

Tuesday, 23 December 2025

• Nigeria vs Tanzania – Fès
• Tunisia vs Uganda – Rabat
• Senegal vs Botswana – Tangier
• DR Congo vs Benin – Rabat

Wednesday, 24 December 2025

• Algeria vs Sudan – Rabat
• Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea – Casablanca
• Ivory Coast vs Mozambique – Marrakech
• Cameroon vs Gabon – Agadir

Saturday, 27 December 2025 – Group C & D

• Nigeria vs Tunisia – Fès
• Uganda vs Tanzania – Rabat
• Benin vs Botswana – Rabat
• DR Congo vs Senegal – Tangier

Sunday, 28 December 2025 – Group E & F

• Algeria vs Burkina Faso – Rabat
• Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan – Casablanca
• Cameroon vs Côte d’Ivoire – Marrakech
• Gabon vs Mozambique – Agadir

Monday, 29 December 2025 – Final group matches

• Angola vs Egypt – Agadir
• Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Marrakech
• Comoros vs Mali – Casablanca
• Zambia vs Morocco – Rabat

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

• Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – Rabat
• Sudan vs Burkina Faso – Casablanca
• Gabon vs Ivory Coast – Marrakech
• Mozambique vs Cameroon – Agadir

The group stage creates compelling fixtures, with powerhouse teams like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire expected to battle for top spots.

AFCON 2025 Knockout Stage: Dates & Rounds

Once the group stage concludes, the tournament transitions into high-stakes knockout football:

Stage	Dates
Round of 16	3–6 January 2026
Quarterfinals	9–10 January 2026
Semifinals	14 January 2026
Third-Place Playoff	17 January 2026
Final	18 January 2026 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat

The knockout rounds will showcase intense matches as teams compete for the prestigious AFCON 2025 title.

Get more updates about the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 at wwsportsnow.com.