Africa Cup of Nations Games 2025: Schedule, Final Venue, TV

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco offers a month of top football, but fans outside Africa often struggle to find the schedule and broadcast details. Here’s everything you need to know to follow every game, from the opening whistle to the final.

First edition: 1957 ·
Most titles: Egypt (7) ·
Defending champion: Ivory Coast ·
Host for 2025: Morocco ·
Number of teams: 24

Here are the key facts summarized:

Why has Morocco won the AFCON?

Morocco’s lone Africa Cup of Nations title came in 1976. That year, the Atlas Lions topped a final group stage that included Guinea, Nigeria, and Egypt to lift the trophy for the first — and so far only — time (CAF Online). Since then, Morocco has come close: they reached the final in 2004 (losing to Tunisia) and the semi‑finals in 2016 and 2021. For a nation that has consistently produced top‑tier talent and reached the World Cup semi‑finals in 2022, the absence of a second AFCON crown is a persistent talking point.

Hosting the 2025 tournament gives Morocco a home‑field advantage they have never had before. The last three hosts — Egypt (2019), Cameroon (2021), and Ivory Coast (2023) — all reached at least the quarter‑finals. Morocco will aim to match or exceed that benchmark, especially after their run to the World Cup semi‑finals.

Where is the AFCON final?

The final venue for AFCON 2025 has not yet been officially named, but major contenders include Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca (capacity 67,000) and the new Grand Stade de Rabat (under renovation). Both cities are among the nine selected host locations, alongside Tangier, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, and others (Visit Marrakech). The CAF has confirmed that nine stadiums will be used, with the final likely assigned to the largest venue once renovations are complete.

Where will the final game be played?

Casablanca and Rabat are the two front‑runners. The choice will affect travel and accommodation plans for fans from Europe and the Americas — Morocco’s proximity to Spain makes both cities easily accessible.

The catch: Until CAF publishes the official match schedule, fans should avoid booking non‑refundable travel. The draw in December 2024 will clarify dates and locations for each knockout round.

Which day will the Africa Cup of Nations start and end?

The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025 and concludes on Sunday, 18 January 2026 (Sky Sports). The opening match sees Morocco play Comoros at 5:30 pm GMT (Yahoo Sports). The final is scheduled for 18 January 2026 in the host city’s main stadium.

What is the Africa Cup of Nations games start date?

The first group‑stage match is 21 December 2025. The group phase runs until early January, followed by the Round of 16 (2–5 Jan 2026), quarter‑finals (9–10 Jan), semi‑finals (14–15 Jan), and the final on 18 January. This schedule places AFCON in the heart of the European club season, forcing clubs to release players during a packed fixture window.

The January schedule also means the final will be played in the middle of the European season, adding extra pressure on players.

How can I watch AFCON 2025?

We have gathered viewing options for major regions. The table below highlights who carries the rights and what fans in Ireland should know.

For viewers in Ireland, the ESPN confirms that Channel 4 holds UK and Irish rights, broadcasting select matches on free‑to‑air channels. The remaining games are available via beIN Sports’ streaming service. beIN Sports has stated that all Round of 16 matches will be broadcast live on its platforms.

Where can I watch the AFCON final in Ireland?

If the final is not aired on Channel 4’s main channel, it will likely be shown on beIN Sports. Fans can also use a VPN to access beIN from outside the US, but CAF’s blackout restrictions may apply. The easiest route for most Irish viewers remains a one‑month subscription to beIN’s streaming plan (£9.99 or equivalent).

Where can I watch AFCON games online?

Official streams are available through CAF TV (the confederation’s own YouTube channel), broadcaster apps, and platforms like DStv and Showmax for Africa. OkayAfrica notes that much of Africa receives coverage on SuperSport, while Algeria’s state channel EPTV carries matches locally.

Which TV channels broadcast AFCON games?

• UK/Ireland: Channel 4, E4, 4Seven
• US: beIN Sports
• Africa: SuperSport, SNRT (Morocco), EPTV (Algeria)
• Middle East: beIN Sports

1. Check your region’s broadcaster from the table above.
2. If outside covered regions, use a VPN to access beIN Sports or SuperSport.
3. Subscribe to beIN’s streaming plan if free-to-air options are limited.
4. Follow CAF TV on YouTube for possible free streams.

What is the AFCON 2025 schedule and who are the teams?

Twenty‑four teams will qualify for the final tournament. As of the end of qualifying (November 2024), the field includes hosts Morocco, defending champions Ivory Coast, and traditional powers Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon. The official group draw will take place in December 2024.

What are the groups for AFCON 2025?

Groups will be determined in the live draw. CAF seeds teams based on the FIFA World Ranking and past AFCON performance. Fans can expect four pots of six teams, with Morocco as the top seed in Group A.

What are the venues?

• Casablanca (Stade Mohammed V)
• Rabat (Grand Stade de Rabat)
• Tangier (Stade Ibn Batouta)
• Fez (Stade de Fès)
• Agadir (Stade Adrar)
• Marrakech (Stade de Marrakech)
• Three additional stadiums TBC

Who are the star players to watch?

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Liverpool forward, AFCON runner‑up in 2021
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – Manchester City winger, 2019 AFCON champion
• Sadio Mané (Senegal) – Al Nassr forward, 2021 AFCON winner
• Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Napoli striker, 2023 CAF Player of the Year
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – PSG wing‑back, World Cup semi‑finalist

The group stage alone promises several competitive matches, with top teams meeting early in the knockout rounds.

Timeline: Key dates for AFCON 2025

• September–November 2024: Qualifying rounds (pending confirmation)
• December 2024: Group stage draw (Sky Sports)
• 21 December 2025: Opening match (Morocco vs Comoros) (CAF)
• 2–5 January 2026: Round of 16 (CAF Online)
• 9–10 January 2026: Quarter‑finals (Al Jazeera)
• 14–15 January 2026: Semi‑finals (Sky Sports)
• 18 January 2026: Final (CAF)

All dates sourced from Sky Sports and CAF.

The timeline shows that the tournament will be compressed into late December and January, aligning with the European club season break for some leagues.

“We are confident Morocco will deliver a memorable tournament.”

— Patrice Motsepe, CAF President

“The tournament will showcase African football at its best with 24 teams competing across nine world‑class stadiums.”

— CAF (Africa’s football governing body)

The implication: With five weeks of football, AFCON 2025 is the longest continental championship in Africa’s history. For Morocco, the stakes are higher than ever: they must prove that their World Cup success was no fluke, while also demonstrating the logistical muscle to host an event of this scale.

Frequently asked questions