All you need to know about 1XBET AFCON 2025

By 1XBET

The 35th edition of the 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun, ushering in a historic chapter in African football as Morocco hosts the continent’s flagship tournament for the first time in nearly four decades.

1XBET AFCON 2025 stands out as a landmark edition, not only because of its scale and organisation but also due to its timing.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the competition is being staged during the Christmas and New Year festive period, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The shift in calendar was necessitated by FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, which would have clashed with the traditional mid-year AFCON window.

The tournament officially kicks off on Sunday night with hosts Morocco facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, setting the tone for four weeks of intense football action across the North African nation.

Tournament Schedule

1XBET AFCON 2025 will follow a tightly packed schedule:

Group Stage: December 21 – December 31, 2025

Round of 16: January 3 – January 6, 2026

Quarter-finals: January 9 – January 10, 2026

Semi-finals: January 14, 2026

Final: January 18, 2026 (Rabat)

Most matches during the group stage will be played across three daily kick-off windows to accommodate global broadcast audiences. Afternoon games will start at 4:00 PM or 5:30 PM East Africa Time (EAT), evening fixtures at 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM EAT, while selected late-night encounters will kick off at 11:30 PM EAT.

The final match, scheduled for Sunday, January 18, will kick off at 11:00 PM EAT.

Teams and Groupings

A total of 24 teams are competing for continental glory, divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout phase.

The group line-up is as follows:

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: Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Group C is expected to attract particular attention, especially from East African football fans. The presence of Nigeria and Tunisia alongside Uganda and Tanzania has created a highly competitive group, with regional bragging rights also at stake.

The clash between Uganda’s Cranes and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on December 27 is already being billed as one of the most anticipated group-stage fixtures, given the long-standing rivalry between the two neighbours.

Host Cities and Venues

Morocco is hosting the tournament across nine modern stadiums in six major cities, showcasing the country’s football infrastructure and organisational capacity.

The centrepiece of the competition is the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which has a seating capacity of nearly 70,000 and will host both the opening match and the final.

Other host cities include Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh, Agadir and Fez, each providing state-of-the-art facilities that meet CAF and FIFA standards.

Stars and Key Storylines

Several major narratives are expected to dominate AFCON 2025.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions, led by Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi, carry the weight of expectation as hosts and semi-finalists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Anything short of a deep run is likely to be considered a disappointment by the home supporters.

Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah also arrives with unfinished business. Despite his individual accolades and club success, the Liverpool forward is yet to lift the AFCON trophy, having finished as runner-up on multiple occasions.

Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire will be keen to retain their crown in a tough group that includes five-time winners Cameroon, while traditional powerhouses such as Senegal, Algeria and Nigeria are also tipped as strong contenders.

Prize Money Boost

Adding to the stakes, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the winner of AFCON Morocco 2025 will receive a prize money of $10 million, reflecting CAF’s continued efforts to raise the tournament’s profile and commercial value.

With packed stadiums, elite talent and national pride on the line, 1XBET AFCON 2025 promises to deliver drama, passion and high-quality football as Africa’s best teams battle for continental supremacy.

NB: 1XBET IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF AFCON 2025.