The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to be a historic tournament, not only for the quality of football on display but also for its unprecedented timing. For the first time in its 68-year history, AFCON will be held over the Christmas and New Year period, specifically from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This scheduling decision marks a significant shift from the tournament's traditional January-February slot and has been driven by the expansion of FIFA's Club World Cup.
Originally, AFCON 2025 was planned for June and July 2025. However, FIFA's decision to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams and schedule it for the same period created a direct conflict. This left the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with the difficult task of finding an alternative window for its flagship competition. The decision to move AFCON to December was made to avoid this clash, even though it meant holding the tournament during a time typically associated with European league football.
This schedule shift presents both challenges and opportunities. For European football fans, AFCON 2025 offers a unique chance to enjoy top-tier international football during the European leagues' winter break. However, it also means that some of the world's most prominent players, who ply their trade in Europe, will be absent from their clubs during a crucial part of the season. FIFA announced that clubs are obliged to release players from December 15, leaving AFCON teams less than a week to prepare.
Despite the scheduling challenges, the tournament promises to be a spectacle. Morocco will host the 35th edition of AFCON, marking the second time the country has hosted the event, the first being in 1988. Nine venues across six cities will be used, the most ever for an AFCON tournament. The final match is scheduled for January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The official mascot for AFCON 2025 is Assad, a young lion whose name signifies strength and leadership in Arabic. The tournament will also serve as a vital testing ground for seven of the nine African teams that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will also act as a test event for Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
Several teams are considered strong contenders for the title. Host nation Morocco, buoyed by their impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup, will be looking to claim their first AFCON title since 1976. Defending champions Ivory Coast will be eager to replicate their success from 2023. Other teams to watch include Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, as well as Senegal, Tunisia, and Algeria.
The group stage will feature several exciting matchups, including Morocco vs. Mali, Egypt vs. South Africa, and Nigeria vs. Tunisia. These matches promise to deliver high-quality football and showcase the talent and passion that make AFCON a unique and celebrated tournament.
