Morocco hosts historic winter AFCON
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The rare winter tournament spans six host cities, with the final scheduled in Rabat — the first AFCON held during the Christmas–New Year period.
Twenty-four African nations compete for continental supremacy, headlined by footballing powerhouses and breakout hopefuls alike.
Favorites eye continental crown
Hosts Morocco enter the competition brimming with confidence, powered by their 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final legacy. But a crowded field of contenders stands in the way:
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Egypt – record 7-time champions
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Côte d’Ivoire – defending champions
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Senegal – 2021 champions
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Nigeria – fierce attacking depth
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Algeria – looking to bounce back
AFCON 2025 promises top-tier African football with star-studded squads across the board.
Superstars set to light up Morocco
Some of world football’s most electrifying African players headline this year’s list:
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Mohamed Salah – Egypt
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Sadio Mané – Senegal
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Victor Osimhen – Nigeria
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Achraf Hakimi – Morocco
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Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon
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Bryan Mbeumo – Cameroon
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Lyle Foster – South Africa
All eyes will be on whether Salah can finally lift AFCON silverware in what may be his final attempt.
Confirmed squads – All teams, all players
Below are the full registered team lists for all 24 sides grouped A–E. Each squad includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, as officially submitted to CAF.
Groups include:
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
(Full team squad lists follow exactly as released.)
AFCON 2025: A tournament of high stakes
The stakes could not be bigger — bragging rights, continental supremacy, and potential qualification leverage for future FIFA competitions.
Key storylines to watch:
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Will Morocco seal glory at home?
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Can Salah deliver Egypt an eighth title?
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Which rising stars will emerge?
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Does Nigeria’s frontline justify expectations?
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Can Algeria rediscover championship form?
With packed stadiums expected and global broadcast coverage expanding, AFCON 2025 is set to be one of the most watched tournaments in African football history.
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