CAF 2025: Morocco Sets the Stage for Africa’s Greatest Football Feast

The eyes of the sporting world are fixed on North Africa as the CAF 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes center stage. Hosted by Morocco, this 35th edition of the tournament is already being hailed as a landmark event, blending world-class infrastructure with the raw passion of African football.

For the first time in history, the tournament is being held during the winter holiday season, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

A Continental Celebration in Morocco

Morocco has pulled out all the stops to ensure this edition is unforgettable. Matches are being played across six host cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez—utilizing nine state-of-the-art stadiums. The tournament serves as a high-profile “dress rehearsal” for Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and the quality of the pitches and fan zones has already earned rave reviews from CAF officials and visiting teams alike.

Key Tournament Facts:

• Host Nation: Morocco (hosting for the first time since 1988).

• Defending Champions: Ivory Coast.

• Final Match: Scheduled for January 18, 2026, at the iconic Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Early Results and Group Standings

The group stages have already delivered high-octane drama. As of late December, several heavyweights have made statement starts:

• Group A: Hosts Morocco opened the tournament with a clinical 2-0 victory over Comoros, led by a spectacular overhead kick from Ayoub El Kaabi.

• Group B: Egypt and South Africa are locked in a tight race after both secured 2-1 wins in their opening fixtures against Zimbabwe and Angola, respectively.

• Group D: Senegal showed why they are favorites with a dominant 3-0 win over Botswana, featuring a double from Nicolas Jackson.

• Group F: The defending champions, Ivory Coast, narrowly defeated Mozambique 1-0 thanks to a goal from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.

Group Stage Schedule at a Glance:

Stars to Watch

The CAF 2025 tournament is a gallery of global superstars. Fans are keeping a close watch on Mohamed Salah (Egypt), who is chasing his first AFCON trophy, and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), who is leading the Atlas Lions on home soil. Meanwhile, younger talents like Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) and Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) are already making their mark on the scoresheet.

Why CAF 2025 Matters

Beyond the trophy, this tournament represents a significant shift for African football. With record-breaking broadcast deals in Europe and North America, the CAF 2025 edition is reaching more viewers than ever before. For Morocco, it is a chance to showcase its “Niya” (meaning ‘intent’ or ‘faith’)—a national spirit that drove them to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and now fuels their ambition to rule the continent.

Stay tuned to OpenSkyTV for live updates, match analysis, and exclusive coverage as we head into the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations!