7 Interesting Facts About Afcon 2025-26 in Morocco

Africa’s biggest football tournament returns at the end of the year, with Morocco set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in a schedule that breaks from tradition. The competition arrives carrying expectation and scrutiny, shaped by a history where reputations are tested and margins remain thin.

Nations come together with contrasting objectives, some seeking validation, others guarding status, in a setting where control rarely lasts long.

Afcon has a habit of turning small moments into defining chapters, and as the opening approaches, focus shifts toward a tournament known for producing stories that outlive the final result.

7 Interesting Facts About Afcon 2025-26 in Morocco

1. Morocco as hosts and favourites

Afcon 2025 marks a major moment for Morocco as the nation welcomes the tournament for its 35th edition, carrying both expectation and belief. Ranked 11th globally, the Atlas Lions arrive as Africa’s leading side and one of international football’s most consistent teams.

Their recent form underlines that status, with an 18-match winning run built on attacking sharpness and defensive control, producing 50 goals while allowing only four.

Hosting duties add further weight to a campaign shaped by history, especially with the country still waiting to lift the trophy again after its lone triumph in 1976.

2. Tournament format and schedule

The competition brings together 24 national teams, arranged across six groups of four, creating a structure that rewards both consistency and momentum.

Progression remains demanding, with only the top two in each group guaranteed safe passage, joined by the four strongest third-placed sides.

Action continues until the final group fixtures on 31 December, before the knockout phase begins on 3 January at the round of 16 stage. The journey concludes with the final on Sunday, 18 January, scheduled for a 19:00 GMT kick-off under the lights.

3. A festive Afcon calendar

For the first time, the Africa Cup of Nations will unfold across Christmas and New Year, reshaping the rhythm of the international football calendar. This festive timing adds a distinct edge to the event, with matches filling a period traditionally dominated by club action.

Whether fans have plans over the holidays or are looking for entertainment at home, Afcon 2025 offers a football-filled spectacle to follow, combining continental pride with the energy of the season.

Players, supporters, and broadcasters experience a unique atmosphere where tension, excitement, and celebration intertwine, making this edition of the tournament unforgettable.

4. Opening night in Rabat

The curtain rises in the capital as Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium stages the opening fixture on Sunday, 21 December 2025. Morocco begin their campaign against Comoros in a match scheduled for 19:00 GMT, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.

With a packed crowd expected and the hosts under immediate scrutiny, the opening evening carries significance beyond the result, offering an early glimpse into Morocco’s ambitions and the competition’s intensity.

5. Mohamed Salah and Egypt’s pursuit of history

All eyes will once again be on Mohamed Salah, whose international career still lacks the continental title he covets most. Following recent tensions over being left out by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, questions have emerged about his future at Anfield.

Salah’s standards over the years have been exceptional, but this season has been more uneven, leaving many to wonder whether he can rediscover his top form.

At Afcon 2025, he will be one of the most closely watched players, tasked with guiding Egypt as they aim to extend their record haul to eight continental crowns.

Memories of narrow defeats in the 2017 and 2021 finals add extra weight to their quest, making Salah’s leadership and legacy inseparable from the team’s hopes of turning past heartbreak into triumph on Africa’s biggest stage.

6. Venues, cities, and long-term vision

Matches will be spread across six host cities, using nine stadiums that reflect Morocco’s commitment to elite sporting infrastructure.

Rabat stands at the centre of operations with four venues, including Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will stage group matches and the final.

Significant investment has gone into modernisation projects nationwide, part of a broader strategy tied to preparations for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

7. The Itri match ball

Afcon 2025 will be played using the Itri match ball, a design rooted in Moroccan artistic tradition. Its patterns draw inspiration from local craftsmanship, blending cultural identity with modern performance standards.

More than a piece of equipment, the ball reflects the tournament’s setting as it is believed it connects heritage with competition throughout every fixture.