The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is almost upon us, with stars from across the Premier League and beyond heading out to Morocco with the aim of glory.
ESPN has you covered on all you need to know for the biannual tournament, including how to watch each game and the players to look out for.
When and where is the tournament?
Ivory Coast forwards Max-Alain Gradel (R) and Simon Adingra (L) kiss the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the tournament in 2024. FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
The tournament kicks off on Dec. 21 and ends with the final on Jan. 18, with 52 matches across nine stadiums.
Guinea were originally going to host the tournament, but had its rights stripped in 2023. The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) stated that “the infrastructure and facilities are not appropriate.”
Following a second bidding process, that privilege instead goes to Morocco.
Morocco, one of the favourites for the tournament, will kickoff the tournament with a group-stage clash against Comoros.
Which nations are in which groups?
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, Congo DR, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
What are the venues?
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat has been rebuilt for the tournament. ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images
There are six host cities, and nine stadiums for this year’s tournament.
The largest venue, Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, will host the opening fixture and the final, on top of other games.
– Adrar Stadium, Agadir (capacity 45,480)
– Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca (capacity 45,000)
– Fez Stadium, Fez (capacity 45,000)
– Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh (capacity 45,240)
– Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (capacity 68,700)
– Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat (capacity 22,000)
– Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat (capacity 21,000)
– Al Barid Stadium, Rabat (capacity 18,000)
– Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier (capacity 75,000)
How can I watch?
In the UK and Ireland, all matches will be live across Channel 4’s network, airing on Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Streaming and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
In the U.S., you can catch the coverage on beIN Sports.
Who are the players to look out for?
Mohamed Salah will be in action for Egypt in Morocco. Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ESPN has a comprehensive guide on which Premier League clubs have the most players heading out to Morocco — which they are required to do by Dec. 15 — and there will be several stars from all of Europe’s top leagues on show.
Mohamed Salah is arguably the star attraction, not just for his performances on the pitch. The Liverpool forward is Egypt’s talisman, and there will be extra focus on this year with his club future in doubt.
Achraf Hakimi is Morocco’s captain. One of the best right-backs in world football, he was a key cog in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph last year.
Nigeria has plenty of star power in the forward positions with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, while Cameroon will be hope to be driven forward by Bryan Mbeumo, who has impressed since joining Manchester United in the summer.
As ever, there will be plenty of young players looking to make an impact, too. Look out for the likes of Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco), Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) Lamine Camara (Senegal), Etta Eyong (Cameroon) and Oumar Diakité (Ivory Coast).
What is the full schedule?
All kickoff times are GMT, all TV info for UK and Ireland
Sunday, Dec. 21
Group A: Morocco vs Comoros, kickoff 7 p.m. (E4 / Channel 4 Streaming) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Monday, Dec. 22
Group A: Mali vs Zambia, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: South Africa vs Angola, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania, kickoff 12 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Group D: Senegal vs Botswana, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: DR Congo vs Benin, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Group E: Algeria vs Sudan, kickoff 12 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Friday, Dec. 26
Group A: Morocco vs Mali, kickoff 12 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa, kickoff 5 p.m. (Channel 4 / Streaming) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Saturday, Dec. 27
Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia, kickoff 12 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: Benin vs Botswana, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Sunday, Dec. 28
Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso, kickoff 12 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan, kickoff 2.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Monday, Dec. 29
Group A: Comoros vs Mali, kickoff 5.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group A: Zambia vs Morocco, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Group B: Angola vs Egypt, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (Channel 4 Sport YouTube) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Tuesday, Dec. 30
Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia, kickoff 5 p.m. (Channel 4 Sport YouTube) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group D: Benin vs Senegal, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (Channel 4 Sport YouTube) – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria, kickoff 5 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso, kickoff 5 p.m. (Channel 4 Sport YouTube) – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (4Seven / Channel 4 Streaming) – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon, kickoff 7.30 p.m. (Channel 4 Sport YouTube) – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Dates for later stages of AFCON 2025
Round of 16: Saturday, Jan. 3 2026 to Tuesday, Jan. 6 2026
Quarterfinals: Friday, Jan. 9 2026 and Saturday, Jan. 10 2026
Semifinals: Wednesday, Jan. 14 2026
Third-place playoff: Saturday, Jan. 17 2026
Final: Sunday, Jan. 18 2026
