The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will feature 24 teams to be contested in the qualifying rounds by teams from one continent. The participating Africa Cup of Nations 2025 teams battle with 24 teams contesting 52 matches across 9 stadiums.
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The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON 2025) is poised to be one of the most exciting editions of Africa’s premier international football tournament, bringing together the continent’s top under-23 talents and established stars. Hosted by Morocco, this 35th edition will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
With defending champions Ivory Coast looking to retain their title and powerhouses like Egypt and Nigeria in contention, fans can anticipate exciting matches and the rise of new rivalries.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the full list of AFCON 2025 teams, qualification highlights, group stage draw, venues, and more to get you ready for the action on fifaworldcupnews.com.
Host Nation and Tournament Overview
Morocco takes center stage as the host for AFCON 2025, marking the second time the North African nation has organized the event since 1988. The tournament’s scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period is a first, adjusted to accommodate the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and avoid clashes with European leagues.
This edition promises high drama, with a format that includes a group stage followed by knockout rounds, culminating in the final on January 18, 2026.
The competition will showcase 24 teams, divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, advance to the round of 16.
From there, it’s straight knockout: quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the grand final. Tiebreakers in the group stage prioritize head-to-head results, goal difference, goals scored, and drawing of lots if needed.
Ivory Coast enters as defending champions after their 2023 triumph, while Egypt holds the record with seven titles. Other multiple winners include Cameroon (five) and Nigeria (three), setting the stage for intense competition.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Teams – AFCON 2025
Qualification for AFCON 2025 involved rigorous group-stage battles across the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with Morocco automatically qualifying as hosts.
The remaining 23 spots were earned through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which saw surprises like the inclusion of debutants and the return of underdogs.
Here’s the complete list of Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Teams, organised alphabetically for easy reference:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Comoros
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Morocco (Hosts)
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
These teams represent a diverse mix of African football, from North African tacticians to West African powerhouses and East African rising stars.
Comoros and Botswana stood out as notable qualifiers with impressive performances in the preliminaries, while heavyweights like Senegal and Algeria claimed their spots with dominant displays.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group Stage Draw
The official draw for AFCON 2025 took place, creating balanced yet challenging groups that promise early fireworks.
Morocco, as the host nation, was placed in Group A, while the other teams were allocated based on FIFA rankings and their qualification achievements. Here is the complete breakdown of the groups:
- 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
Group F stands out as a potential “group of death,” featuring defending champions Ivory Coast, five-time winners Cameroon, and strong contenders Gabon and Mozambique.
In Group C, Nigeria faces off against Tunisia in what promises to be an exciting, high-scoring match.
Venues for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Matches will be played across nine state-of-the-art venues in six Moroccan cities, blending modern facilities with cultural heritage. Key stadiums include:
- Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier: Capacity 75,000 – Likely to host the opening match and final.
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat: Capacity 68,700 – A hub for knockout games.
- Adrar Stadium, Agadir: Capacity 45,000
- Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca: Capacity 45,000
- Fez Stadium, Fez: Capacity 45,000
- Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh: Capacity 45,000
- Smaller venues in Rabat: Moulay Hassan Stadium (22,000), Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex (21,000), Al Barid Stadium (18,000)
These locations ensure widespread access for fans and highlight Morocco’s investment in football infrastructure.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Teams Key Highlights and What to Expect
AFCON 2025 is set to deliver unforgettable moments, with storylines abound. Will Morocco leverage home advantage to claim their second title since 1976?
Can the Ivory Coast defend its crown amid tough competition?
Emerging teams like Uganda and Tanzania could pull off upsets, while stars from clubs like Liverpool (Mohamed Salah for Egypt) and Napoli (Victor Osimhen for Nigeria) will shine.
The tournament’s winter timing adds a unique flavour, potentially affecting player fitness from European leagues. Expect goals, passion, and the vibrant atmosphere that defines African football, with scouts eyeing talents for global transfers.
Conclusion
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 teams lineup promises a spectacular showcase of skill, strategy, and spirit from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Whether you’re rooting for powerhouses like Nigeria and Senegal or supporting underdogs like Comoros, this edition is a must-watch.
