The stage is set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, with defending champions Ivory Coast drawing a tough Group F that includes Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. The highly anticipated tournament will kick off on December 21, 2025, and run until January 18, 2026, featuring Africa’s best footballing nations vying for continental glory.
Ivory Coast Draws Cameroon in a Fierce Group F Battle
At the official draw ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, the Elephants of Ivory Coast, who lifted the AFCON 2023 trophy on home soil, were placed in Group F alongside perennial powerhouse Cameroon. This sets up a mouthwatering clash between two of Africa’s most successful football nations. Cameroon, five-time AFCON champions, will be eager to reclaim the title, making their group-stage meeting with Ivory Coast one of the standout fixtures of the tournament.
Adding to the intrigue, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon will also compete in Group F, seeking to upset the balance with their attacking prowess. Mozambique, the fourth team in the group, will be aiming to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time. With three strong teams vying for qualification, Group F is already being labeled the “Group of Death.”
Regional Clashes and Heavyweights Face Off in Group Stage
Elsewhere, Nigeria—who finished as runners-up in AFCON 2023 after losing to Ivory Coast in the final—finds itself in a tricky Group C. The Super Eagles will battle Tunisia, as well as Uganda and Tanzania, two of the co-hosts of the upcoming AFCON 2027. With Nigeria determined to avenge their 2023 heartbreak, this group promises intense action.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Southern African giants South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe will compete against Egypt, led by talisman Mohamed Salah. The Pharaohs, record seven-time AFCON champions, are strong favorites, but the regional familiarity among the other three teams could create surprises.
A remarkable story heading into the tournament is Sudan’s qualification despite the country being ravaged by civil war. The Sudanese team has been drawn into Group E alongside Algeria, another footballing heavyweight. Their resilience in making it to the finals amid national turmoil adds an emotional layer to their participation.
Star-Studded Draw Ceremony in Rabat
The AFCON 2025 draw was conducted at a glittering event in Rabat, featuring some of Africa’s most celebrated football icons. Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji, a former African Player of the Year, was among the dignitaries assisting with the proceedings. Also present was Serge Aurier, the former Tottenham defender who won AFCON twice with Ivory Coast, alongside Joseph Yobo, Nigeria’s AFCON-winning captain in 2013.
Adding to the ceremony’s prestige was Senegal’s Aliou Cissé, the coach who guided the Teranga Lions to their historic AFCON 2021 triumph. His nation, Senegal, has been placed in Group D, where they will face DR Congo in a potentially explosive encounter. With the 24-team format, the top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout rounds, ensuring intense competition from the start.
With the draw complete, Africa’s biggest football spectacle is now set in motion. As teams prepare for the tournament, all eyes will be on defending champions Ivory Coast, tournament hosts Morocco, and contenders like Nigeria, Egypt, and Senegal, who will all be aiming to lift the prestigious AFCON trophy in early 2026.
Morocco Gears Up to Host AFCON 2025 in Style
Morocco has officially taken over as the host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Guinea was stripped of its hosting rights due to inadequate infrastructure and facilities. The North African nation, known for its robust football culture and world-class stadiums, is also set to host the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), further solidifying its status as a premier sporting destination in Africa.
In preparation for AFCON 2025, the local organizing committee has confirmed that matches will be held in six major cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier, utilizing a total of nine stadiums. Rabat, the capital city, will serve as a central hub, boasting four stadiums, including the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, which will host the tournament’s grand final. This strategic selection of venues highlights Morocco’s commitment to delivering a well-structured and successful AFCON tournament.
Morocco’s Grand Vision for Football and AFCON 2025 Draw Details
Morocco’s role as the co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal underscores its long-term ambitions to become a global football powerhouse. The country has already announced plans to construct a 115,000-seater stadium on the outskirts of Casablanca by 2027, a project that could potentially stage the FIFA World Cup final. This development aligns with Morocco’s broader vision of enhancing its sporting infrastructure and increasing its influence in international football.
The AFCON 2025 group stage draw has set the stage for an exciting competition, featuring a mix of African football powerhouses and emerging teams. The groups are as follows:
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: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
With Morocco’s state-of-the-art facilities, rich football history, and extensive planning, AFCON 2025 promises to be a landmark tournament that will showcase African football at its best. As teams prepare for the showdown, fans can expect a high-energy competition featuring some of the continent’s finest talents.
