TotalEnergies AFCON 2025: Morocco Ready For Africa’s Best Teams

With the qualifiers done and dusted, the countdown to the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun as the host nation, Morocco prepares to compère Africa’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history.

The focus has also shifted towards the 24 teams that will feature in this iconic continental football carnival now in its 35th edition.

Morocco Welcome Africa Again!
The last time this North African country hosted the Africa Cup of Nations was in 1988 and that tournament featured just eight teams, with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon emerging victorious after a hard-fought final against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Now fast forward to 2025, the tournament has expanded significantly, with 24 teams set to compete, a development which further highlights the growth and development of African football over the past three decades.

Confirmed as the host nation on 27th September 2023, the decision was met with widespread enthusiasm from the Moroccans and the Atlas Lions, who automatically qualify as the host nation, are eager to showcase their country’s readiness to welcome the continent’s best footballing sides, especially after their historic performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the made history as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Key Dates
The 2025 AFCON will flag off on December 21, 2025, and will culminate with the final slated for January 18, 2026. These are crucial dates for fans and teams alike as they prepare for the most prestigious football tournament on the African continent.

Stadiums And Host Cities
While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has yet to officially announce the venues, several iconic stadiums are expected to play a central role in the tournament. These include:

Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca: A likely centerpiece of the tournament, this historic venue hosted the 1988 AFCON final and is expected to be a major venue once again.
Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat: Another key venue, currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity.
Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier: Set to host some of the tournament’s biggest matches, with an expanded capacity to accommodate more fans.
Adrar Stadium, Agadir: Known for its stunning location and modern facilities, also being expanded ahead of the tournament.
Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh: A popular venue with fans and likely to see significant action during the tournament.
Fez Stadium, Fez: A more traditional setting that will add to the diverse experiences offered to fans.

The Qualification Round
While Morocco was the only team assured of a place in the tournament as the host nation, the remaining 23 spots were decided through a rigorous qualifying process. The qualifiers, which kicked off in September 2024 and ended on November 17, 2024, saw 48 nations divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group securing their place in Morocco.

The qualification process was intense, with teams like reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria all vying for a spot. Most of the football giants secured their places while others like Ghana and Guinea could not qualify for the competition.

The 24 Qualifiers For TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025
Morocco (Hosts)
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Algeria
DR Congo
Senegal
Egypt
Angola
Equatorial Guinea
Cote d’Ivoire
Uganda
South Africa
Gabon
Tunisia
Nigeria
Zambia
Mali
Zimbabwe
Comoros
Sudan
Benin
Tanzania
Botswana
Mozambique

Morocco’s Growing Football Reputation
Morocco’s selection as the host for AFCON 2025 is no surprise given the country’s recent track record in successfully hosting major international football events.

From the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023, Morocco has consistently demonstrated its capacity to organize and deliver world-class football tournaments.

This track record, combined with the country’s passionate football culture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, sets the stage for what could be one of the most memorable editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Looking Ahead
As the road to Morocco 2025 begins, anticipation is high not just for the tournament itself but for what it symbolizes, a celebration of African football and a showcase of Morocco’s commitment to the sport.

With world-class facilities, a football-mad population, and recent experience in hosting major tournaments, Morocco is poised to deliver an AFCON that will set new benchmarks for the competition.– Culled from CAFonline.com