By KUNLE SOLAJA.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will break new ground by kicking off in December for the very first time in its 68-year history.

 The adjustment was made to avoid a clash with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, forcing CAF to push Africa’s showpiece into the festive period.

The timing brings with it unique opportunities. Staging AFCON during the holiday season is expected to boost tourism and fan travel, as visitors combine football with end-of-year celebrations in Morocco’s host cities.

But the scheduling also rekindles the familiar club-versus-country debate, as European teams may be reluctant to release their African stars during one of the busiest stretches of the domestic season.

Beyond the immediate concerns, the December start carries symbolic weight: it marks a historic shift, making AFCON 2025 the first edition ever to straddle two calendar years, running from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

Why December Matters

• New Timing: First AFCON to kick off in December, adjusted due to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.
• Festive Season: Tournament coincides with holidays, boosting tourism and fan travel.
• Club vs. Country Debate: European clubs may face pressure releasing players during a busy domestic season.
• Historic Shift: First AFCON to straddle two calendar years — 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

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The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will kick-off in Morocco in exactly 100 days, bringing together passionate fans from across the continent and showcasing Africa’s football excellence to the world.

Africa’s biggest sporting event is expected to break the records set by the hugely successful 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, which attracted a global television audience of over 1.5 billion and more than 2.4 billion digital streams. 

To mark the 100-day Countdown to the finals, CAF has unveiled a Poster which can be downloaded HERE.

Morocco will play host to the continental finals for the first time since 1988, and will provide world-class facilities for the 24-team tournament that runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, where Cote d’Ivoire will defend their title.

The finals will be played in nine stadiums across six cities – Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir.

The Kingdom successfully staged the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024 and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025, showcasing its organisational excellence and the passion of fans for the game.

It comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the second time the global showpiece event will be staged on the continent, underlining the country’s status as a hub for world football.

Morocco promises to provide a fan experience like no other away from the pitch with excellent hospitality and electric action on the field of play in state-of-the-art stadiums in a true celebration of African football.

The tournament will be the 35^th staging of the continental finals and another chapter in the rich history of a competition first played in 1957.

-Cafonline

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who just returned from Morocco.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and host nation Morocco today are expected to officially launched the 100-day countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament that carries the dreams and passions of an entire continent.

The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football competition will be historic in many ways. For the first time, the event will be staged in December, with the opening whistle on 21 December 2025, and the final to be played on 18 January 2026 — the first AFCON to straddle two calendar years.

It is also the first year-ending AFCON tournament.

Morocco’s Big Stage

Far from treating AFCON as a routine tournament, Morocco is positioning it as a continental festival of football and culture.

Stadiums in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Fes have undergone significant makeovers, with some described as “elegant and regal” in readiness to host the 24 qualified nations.

The massively upgraded Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

Virtually every sector of the kingdom has keyed into the tournament. The Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO) has rolled out aggressive global campaigns, spotlighting the country as a vibrant hub for African tourism.

 The efforts appear to be paying off: global travel platform Kayak recently ranked Morocco 6th among the world’s best countries to visit in 2025 — a recognition expected to grow as AFCON nears.

Beyond Football

For Morocco, the Africa Cup of Nations is not just about goals and glory. Authorities see it as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, and international reputation. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has repeatedly described Morocco as a “reliable partner” in showcasing Africa’s capacity to host world-class sporting events.

The tournament also arrives at a symbolic moment, with African football enjoying renewed global visibility following Morocco’s trailblazing semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

A Continental Invitation

For African fans, the 100-day countdown is more than a date circled on the calendar. It is an invitation to dream, to hope, and to rally behind nations seeking continental supremacy.

For some players, AFCON 2025 will represent a final chance to etch their names into history; for nations, it will be an opportunity to unify their people under the banner of the beautiful game.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes turn to Morocco — to see whether AFCON 2025 can deliver not only thrilling football, but also a legacy of progress for the continent.

The Host Cities at a Glance

• Rabat – Opening match, one semi-final, and the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
• Casablanca – Home to Mohammed V Stadium, one of Africa’s most iconic football venues.
• Marrakech – Known for its tourist appeal, ready to merge culture with football fever.
• Tangier – Northern gateway city with a modern stadium overlooking the Mediterranean.
• Agadir – A coastal resort city offering fans sun, beaches, and football.
• Fes – Morocco’s historic city adds cultural weight to the AFCON spectacle.

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