The excitement for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reached a fever pitch as the much-anticipated draw took place on January 27 at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco. With 24 teams ready to compete for continental glory, the draw unveiled the six groups where Africa’s finest will battle for the coveted trophy.

As hosts, Morocco automatically took their place at the top of Group A, while defending champions Côte d’Ivoire were placed in Pot 1 alongside other top-ranked teams, including Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria. The draw procedure followed a meticulous process to ensure balanced and competitive groups, paving the way for an electrifying tournament.

The Groups:

Here’s how the 24 teams were divided into six groups:

Group A

Morocco (hosts)

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

Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions)

Cameroon

Gabon

Mozambique

AFCON 2025 will officially kick off on December 21, 2025, with hosts Morocco facing Comoros in the tournament opener at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The competition follows a round-robin format during the group stages, with each team playing three matches. The top two teams from each group will advance directly to the knockout rounds, while the four best third-placed teams across all groups will complete the 16-team lineup for the next phase.

From the round of 16 onward, the tournament adopts a straight knockout format, culminating in the grand finale on January 18, 2026.

With Africa’s football heavyweights and rising stars ready to shine, the 2025 AFCON promises to deliver memorable moments, intense rivalries, and breathtaking goals. From powerhouse nations like Senegal and Nigeria to dark horses like Burkina Faso and Gabon, every match will be a spectacle of skill and passion.

As the continent eagerly counts down to the tournament, fans will look forward to seeing whether defending champions Côte d’Ivoire can retain their title or if another team will rise to claim the throne.

One thing is certain: AFCON 2025 will be a celebration of African football at its finest.