12/21/2025
After months of anticipation, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finally kicks off today in Morocco. Twenty-four teams, six host cities and nine stadiums are ready as a football-mad nation welcomes the continent for Africa’s biggest tournament.
The four-week competition is being billed as a high-profile dress rehearsal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host. To prepare, the kingdom has embarked on one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in African sporting history.
Defending champions Ivory Coast arrive after a scarcely believable title run on home soil last time out, while Nigeria will be aiming to go one step further after falling short in the final.
Senegal, led by Sadio Mané, return after lifting the trophy in 2021, and Egypt will be hoping speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future does not derail their quest for a record-extending eighth continental crown.
Group stage line-up
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: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique
Electric atmosphere in Rabat
In Rabat’s vast fan zone, an opening concert has gradually given way to rising excitement. Despite cold and rainy conditions — unusual for an AFCON tournament — Moroccan supporters are already in full voice.
>>>Read more via link in bio.
Follow for more updates ❤️
caf
