Where is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?

The entire African continent, and indeed the global football world, is turning its attention to one of the most passionate and vibrant tournaments on the planet: the Africa Cup of Nations. The 2025 edition, officially known as the CAN 2025, promises to be a spectacular event filled with drama, flair, and unforgettable moments. For fans, neutrals, and sports bettors alike, one question has been paramount: where will this grand event be held?

After a period of uncertainty and a change in hosting rights, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made its decision. This comprehensive guide will detail everything you need to know about the host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the cities and stadiums set to welcome the teams, the tournament's format, and an early analysis of the favorites and key betting angles to consider.

Get ready to dive deep into the heart of African football as we prepare for the 35th edition of this historic championship. This is your definitive resource for understanding the landscape of AFCON 2025.

1Morocco: The Chosen Host for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

The official host country for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is **Morocco**. This North African kingdom, a nation breathing football, was unanimously awarded the hosting rights by the CAF Executive Committee in September 2023. This decision marks a significant return for the tournament to Morocco, which has not hosted the men's AFCON since 1988.

The selection of Morocco is seen as a robust and secure choice, given the country's outstanding infrastructure, world-class stadiums, and recent, stellar performance on the global stage. The footballing world still remembers the incredible journey of the Atlas Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African nation ever to reach the semi-finals. Hosting the AFCON 2025 is the next logical step in cementing Morocco's status as a continental footballing powerhouse.

The Road to Hosting: A Tale of Withdrawal and Opportunity

The journey to naming Morocco as host was not straightforward. Originally, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was awarded to **Guinea**. However, in October 2022, CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that Guinea would be stripped of its hosting rights. The decision was made after inspections revealed that the country's infrastructure and facilities were not progressing at the required pace to be ready in time for the tournament.

This opened a new bidding process. Several nations expressed interest, including a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin, as well as bids from Algeria and Zambia. However, Morocco's bid was overwhelmingly seen as the most prepared and impressive. With most of its stadiums already built and meeting international standards, Morocco presented a low-risk, high-reward option for CAF. Ultimately, the other competing bids were withdrawn, paving the way for Morocco's unanimous selection.

This change in hosts is crucial for bettors to understand. A tournament in Guinea would have presented vastly different logistical and climate challenges. A tournament in Morocco, however, suggests a high-quality, smoothly-run event with excellent pitches, which generally favors more technical and possession-based teams.

Why Morocco? A Look at Infrastructure and Football Passion

Morocco's successful bid is built on several key pillars:

• World-Class Stadiums: Unlike many previous hosts, Morocco does not need to build its venues from scratch. The country boasts several modern, large-capacity stadiums that are already in use for domestic and international matches.
• Proven Host: Morocco successfully hosted the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which was widely praised for its high attendance and excellent organization. This track record gave CAF immense confidence.
• Infrastructure: Beyond the stadiums, the country has a robust network of highways, international airports in all major host cities, and a high-speed train line (Al Boraq) connecting Tangier and Casablanca. This makes travel for teams and fans seamless.
• Footballing Climate: The nation is gripped by football fever. The domestic league, the Botola Pro, is one of the strongest on the continent, and the passion ignited by the 2022 World Cup run ensures that stadiums will be packed, creating an electric atmosphere.

2The Heart of the Tournament: AFCON 2025 Venues and Stadiums

While the final list of six stadiums is subject to final confirmation by CAF, Morocco's bid proposed a stellar lineup of venues across the country. These cities are well-equipped to handle the influx of 24 teams and their legions of supporters. Here is a detailed look at the likely host cities and stadiums for the CAN 2025.

Rabat: The Capital's Stage

Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

Located in the capital city, this stadium is one of the nation's gems. It underwent significant renovations to host the 2022 WAFCON final and the FIFA Club World Cup. With a large capacity (around 53,000) and modern facilities, it is a prime candidate to host the opening match or even the final of the AFCON 2025. Its immaculate pitch and impressive architecture make it a fitting venue for the continent's biggest games.

Casablanca: The Economic Hub

Stadium: Mohammed V Stadium

This is arguably the most iconic and intimidating football cauldron in Morocco. Home to the legendary rival clubs Raja and Wydad Casablanca, the Stade Mohammed V is synonymous with passion and deafening noise. While an older stadium, its atmosphere is second to none. It has a capacity of around 45,000 and is almost certain to host one of the groups, likely featuring one of the tournament's top seeds.

Furthermore, Morocco is in the advanced stages of planning a new, state-of-the-art "Grand Stade de Casablanca," projected to have a capacity of over 115,000. While this new megastructure is being built with the 2030 World Cup in mind, its progress will be watched closely. However, for 2025, the historic Mohammed V remains the focal point in Casablanca.

Marrakech: The Jewel of the South

Stadium: Stade de Marrakech

This magnificent and modern stadium, with its distinctive rectangular design and capacity of around 45,000, is a visual masterpiece. Located in one of the world's most famous tourist destinations, it offers a fantastic experience for traveling fans who can combine top-tier football with sightseeing. The stadium has hosted numerous international friendlies and tournament matches, and its pristine condition makes it a guaranteed venue.

Agadir: The Coastal Venue

Stadium: Adrar Stadium (Stade d'Agadir)

Situated in the beautiful coastal city of Agadir, this modern stadium (capacity 45,000) is another key pillar of Morocco's hosting plan. It opened in 2013 and has a striking, modern design. Its location in a popular resort town makes it an attractive destination for teams and supporters, offering a more relaxed environment away from the hustle of the bigger cities, along with a typically perfect playing surface.

Tangier: The Gateway to Africa

Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium

Named after the famous explorer, this stadium in Tangier is strategically located at the gateway between Africa and Europe. It has undergone massive expansion and renovation, boosting its capacity to over 65,000. It hosted matches during the FIFA Club World Cup 2022 and is a world-class venue. Its size and modern amenities make it a strong contender for high-profile knockout matches, including a potential semi-final.

Fez: The Historic Setting

Stadium: Fez Stadium (Complexe Sportif de Fès)

Located in the imperial city of Fez, this stadium adds a historical backdrop to the tournament. With a capacity of around 45,000, it is another of Morocco's large-scale venues capable of hosting group stage and knockout games. Its inclusion ensures that the tournament's footprint extends across the different, vibrant regions of the country.

3Navigating the Schedule: When is the Africa Cup of Nations 2025?

This is perhaps the most significant point of discussion and confusion surrounding the tournament. The "2025 Africa Cup of Nations" is facing a major scheduling crisis.

The "Summer vs. Winter" Conundrum

Originally, CAF had intended to permanently move the AFCON to the summer months (June-July) to avoid conflicts with the European club season, where the majority of Africa's top stars play. The 2025 edition was initially penciled in for June-July 2025.

However, a massive problem arose: FIFA's newly expanded 32-team **FIFA Club World Cup**, which is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. This new tournament will feature four teams from Africa and many of the same players who would be competing in the AFCON. Staging both tournaments simultaneously is a logistical impossibility for players, federations, and broadcasters.

Potential Dates: What Bettors Should Expect

Given the direct clash, CAF has been forced to find a new window. Several options have been reported:

1. Postponement to Winter 2025/2026: The most widely reported and likely outcome is that the tournament will be moved. The two most probable windows are **December 2025 - January 2026** OR **January - February 2026**.
2. A Late Summer 2025 Kick-off: A less likely option involves trying to start the tournament in late July 2025, immediately after the Club World Cup, but this would create massive player burnout issues.

For bettors, this date change is critical. A winter AFCON (Jan/Feb 2026) means a return to the classic "club vs. country" battles, with European teams losing their best African players mid-season. This can affect player form, fatigue, and availability. A December/January tournament could be even more disruptive to the packed festive schedules in leagues like the Premier League. Keep a close eye on the official confirmation, as the timing will heavily influence team preparation and player performance.

4The 24 Contenders: Teams and Qualification Path

The AFCON 2025 will, like recent editions, feature a 24-team format, which has proven to be a massive success, opening the door for more nations and creating exciting "Cinderella" stories. The path to join the host nation is a long and grueling one.

The Host's Advantage: Morocco's Automatic Berth

As the host nation, **Morocco** has an automatic ticket to the finals. This is a significant advantage, not just for qualifying, but for their betting odds. They can spend the qualification period playing high-profile friendlies and fine-tuning their squad without the pressure of must-win competitive games. This "free pass" allows head coach Walid Regragui to experiment and build depth.

The Gauntlet: A Look at the AFCON 2025 Qualification Process

The remaining 23 spots are decided by the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. The journey for many began with a preliminary round, where the eight lowest-ranked CAF nations (like Somalia, Eswatini, and South Sudan) competed in two-legged ties to earn a spot in the main group stage.

The 48 remaining teams (44 direct entrants + 4 preliminary round winners) were then drawn into **12 qualification groups of four teams each**. The format is simple and ruthless:

• Each team plays the other three teams in their group home and away.
• The **top two teams** from each of the 12 groups will qualify for the finals in Morocco.

This process ensures that all of the continent's heavyweights have a strong chance to qualify, but it also provides a pathway for rising nations. The qualifiers are a betting market in themselves, offering insights into the form and tactical identity of teams leading up to the main event.

5Tournament Format Explained: The Road to the Final

Understanding the tournament's structure is key to identifying betting value. The 24-team format has a specific progression that impacts strategy.

The Group Stage: 36 Matches of Intrigue

The 24 qualified teams will be drawn into **six groups (Group A to F) of four teams each**.

• The host nation, Morocco, will automatically be seeded in Group A.
• The other 23 teams will be seeded based on their latest FIFA rankings to create balanced groups.
• Each team plays one match against the other three teams in its group.

The Knockout Puzzle: Advancing as a Best Third-Placed Team

This is where the format gets interesting. The top two teams from each of the six groups advance automatically to the Round of 16. That accounts for 12 teams.

The remaining four spots in the Round of 16 are filled by the **four best third-placed teams** from the group stage. These teams are ranked based on:

1. Points
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored
4. Fair play points
5. Drawing of lots

This rule is a game-changer. It means teams can lose a game, or even two, and still have a chance to advance. It keeps the final group stage matches incredibly tense, as teams fight not just for the top spots but to be one of the "lucky losers." For bettors, this creates value in "To Qualify from Group" markets, even for teams that aren't expected to finish first or second.

From Round of 16 to Glory

Once the 16 teams are set, the tournament becomes a straightforward, single-elimination knockout bracket:

• Round of 16
• Quarter-Finals
• Semi-Finals
• Third-Place Play-off
• The Final

This format, adopted in 2019, has been praised for its high drama and for giving emerging nations a fighting chance to make a deep run, as seen with teams like Benin and Madagascar in previous editions.

62025 Africa Cup of Nations Betting: Early Analysis and Favorites

With the tournament heading to Morocco, the betting landscape is already taking shape. The host nation's strength, combined with the established continental giants, creates a fascinating picture for early outright betting. Here is an initial look at the main contenders to lift the trophy.

The Undeniable Favorite: Morocco (The Hosts)

All eyes are on the Atlas Lions. It's impossible to overstate their advantage.

• Home Crowd: Moroccan stadiums will be a sea of red, creating an intimidating wall of sound for every opponent. This pressure and support are a massive factor.
• World Cup Confidence: This is not the Morocco of old. This is a team that beat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their way to a World Cup semi-final. They have the belief they can beat anyone.
• Star Quality: With players like Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Sofyan Amrabat (Man Utd/Fiorentina), Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray), and Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), they have elite talent in every area of the pitch.
• Coaching Stability: Walid Regragui is a national hero and a tactical master. He knows how to get the best from his squad.

Betting Angle: Morocco's odds to win will be very short, likely the shortest of any team. The "pressure of hosting" can sometimes be a burden, but this team seems built to handle it. The value might be in them reaching the final, or in markets like "Top Tournament Goalscorer" for En-Nesyri, who will get plenty of service.

The Reigning Champions: Ivory Coast

Never discount the holders. The Elephants won the 2023 edition (played in 2024) on home soil in a dramatic comeback story.

• Winning Mentality: They have just proven they can go all the way. That experience is invaluable.
• Squad Depth: They possess a powerful and athletic squad with stars like Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra, and Sébastien Haller.
• The "Holders' Curse": It is incredibly difficult to win back-to-back AFCON titles. Egypt (2006, 2008, 2010) was the last team to do it. Complacency or a post-win slump is a real risk.

Betting Angle: Ivory Coast will be among the top three favorites. They have the power and skill, but repeating is a monumental task. They represent a solid bet to reach the semi-finals.

The Perennial Powerhouses: Senegal and Nigeria

Senegal (The Lions of Teranga): The 2021 champions (played in 2022) are perhaps the most complete squad in Africa, man-for-man.

• Talent Everywhere: From Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly to Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr, their roster is stacked with top-tier European talent.
• Consistency: They are always in the latter stages of the tournament. They have the experience and tactical discipline to grind out results.

Nigeria (The Super Eagles): The 2023 runners-up. Nigeria's strength is clear: attacking firepower.

• Lethal Attack: With Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), their forward line is arguably the most valuable and dangerous on the continent.
• Defensive Questions: Their perennial issue is finding the right balance. They can be defensively frail and tactically inconsistent, which often proves to be their downfall.

Betting Angle: Senegal is a "safer" bet than Nigeria, more likely to reach the quarters or semis consistently. Nigeria is a "boom or bust" proposition; if their attack clicks, they could win the whole thing, making them an exciting, if volatile, outright bet. Victor Osimhen will be a very popular pick for the Golden Boot.

The North African Rivals: Egypt and Algeria

Egypt (The Pharaohs): The record seven-time winners can never be ignored.

• Mohamed Salah: As long as he is playing, Egypt has a chance. He is a generational talent desperate to add an AFCON trophy to his collection.
• Tournament DNA: Egypt is a "tournament team." They are masters of tactical, defensive football and navigating the pressures of knockout games.

Algeria (The Fennec Foxes): The 2019 champions.

• Bounce Back: After disastrous group stage exits in both 2021 and 2023, Algeria is a team with a massive point to prove. They are hungry and will be motivated.
• Aging Core?: Questions remain if their golden generation, led by players like Riyad Mahrez, is past its absolute peak.

Betting Angle: Both teams will be dangerous. Egypt's games are often low-scoring, creating value in "Under 2.5 Goals" markets. Algeria is a high-variance team; they could crash out early again or go on a deep run fueled by redemption.

The Dark Horses to Watch

Keep an eye on teams that could disrupt the favorites:

• Cameroon: Always physical, always dangerous. The Indomitable Lions have a knack for showing up in big tournaments.
• South Africa: Bafana Bafana were a huge surprise in 2023, finishing third with a smart, cohesive tactical system. They are no longer an easy win.
• Ghana: The Black Stars are in a transitional phase but possess exciting young talent. If they can find consistency, they have a high ceiling.

7Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Where will the AFCON 2025 be held?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) will be held in **Morocco**. The North African nation was awarded the hosting rights in September 2023.

When are the exact dates for the CAN 2025?

The official dates are **not yet finalized** and are a source of major debate. The tournament was scheduled for June/July 2025 but conflicts directly with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The most likely outcome is a postponement to the winter, either in **December 2025/January 2026** or **January/February 2026**.

How many teams will participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?

The tournament will feature **24 teams** from across Africa. Morocco qualifies automatically as the host, and the other 23 teams will emerge from the ongoing CAF qualification group stage.

What cities and stadiums will host the AFCON 2025?

The six host cities proposed in Morocco's bid are **Rabat** (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium), **Casablanca** (Mohammed V Stadium), **Marrakech** (Stade de Marrakech), **Agadir** (Adrar Stadium), **Tangier** (Ibn Batouta Stadium), and **Fez** (Fez Stadium).

Who is the favorite to win the Africa Cup of Nations 2025?

The host nation, **Morocco**, is the overwhelming early favorite, given their home advantage and strong squad that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Other strong contenders include reigning champions **Ivory Coast**, 2021 winners **Senegal**, and 2023 runners-up **Nigeria**.

8Conclusion: Get Ready for Africa's Biggest Football Fiesta

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is poised to be one of the most successful and competitive editions in the tournament's history. With world-class stadiums, a passionate host nation, and a continent full of rising talent, the stage is set for an unforgettable spectacle.

From a betting perspective, the tournament offers a wealth of opportunities. The host's strength, the scheduling chaos, and the 24-team format's knockout permutations all add layers of strategy for savvy bettors. Whether you are backing an outright winner, playing the Top Goalscorer market, or analyzing match-by-match odds, the CAN 2025 will be a must-watch event.

The journey is just beginning. As the qualifiers conclude and the final dates are set, the picture will become clearer. **Stay tuned to our blog for all the latest news, in-depth team analysis, and expert betting predictions for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.** We will be your ultimate guide to navigating this thrilling tournament.