Who Plays and Where to Watch AFCON 2025

AFCON 2025 promises great stories, but the question is clear: who’s playing and where to watch every moment?

The wait for the games is almost over and AFCON 2025 is about to begin!

Get ready for breathtaking clashes, magical dribbles, and goals that will have you jumping off the couch.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be a celebration of talent, passion, and history.

Morocco will be the stage for all this emotion, hosting the biggest stars and the most traditional teams in Africa.

Up next, you’ll find all the essential details: who’s playing, who the favorites are, and most importantly, how you can follow every play live.

1. What to Expect from AFCON 2025

AFCON 2025 in Morocco has everything to become one of the most memorable and competitive editions in history.

Scheduled between December 21, 2025 and January 18, 2026, the tournament brings together 24 nations with a single goal: to crown themselves the best in Africa.

Think about the scale of this event: it’s the equivalent of the Euro, but with a cultural intensity and unpredictability that only African football delivers.

The pressure on the host nation, Morocco, is immense.

AFCON 2025 will turn Morocco into the beating heart of African football. There will be nine stadiums across six host cities (Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier) ready to welcome fans from all over the world.

The grand final will take place at the luxurious Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, promising a closing ceremony worthy of one of the most memorable editions in history.

2. Where to Watch AFCON 2025 Live

For those in the African continent, coverage is extensive, ensuring you won’t miss a single goal!

No matter which country you’re in, there’s always an option to tune into the stadium atmosphere.

SABC 2, SABC Sport and SABC Plus (South Africa)

SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) confirmed the broadcast of all 52 matches of AFCON 2025. For South African fans, this is the best deal, as it’s free-to-air on SABC 2 and SABC Sport.

If you prefer digital flexibility, the streaming service SABC Plus is available.

The app brings extra features such as goal highlights right after they happen and personalized alerts so you don’t miss South Africa in action.

SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa)

If you’re a DStv or GOtv subscriber, SuperSport is your main hub for African football.

• Known for its broadcast quality, it offers full digital coverage, with multiple channels dedicated to the tournament.
• You’ll have access to pre-match shows, in-depth tactical analysis from former players, and instant replays of controversial plays.
• Plus, the SuperSport app lets you receive match alerts and access detailed stats in real time, enhancing your fan experience.

Canal+ (French-Speaking Countries)

Canal+ covers major countries such as Senegal, Algeria, and Ivory Coast.

Beyond its vast selection of 200+ live channels, its app stands out for the Expert Mode, an interactive feature that shows live stats, detailed line-ups, and even quizzes to test your knowledge.

Yalla App (CAF Official Platform)

This is your digital guide if you plan to attend matches in person!

The Yalla App is CAF’s official tool and has become essential for the competition’s logistics.

• With it, you can manage your digital Fan ID (mandatory for stadium and Fan Zone access), buy tickets, and check interactive maps of the arenas.
• The app will also provide safety updates and live match status throughout the tournament.

3. International Coverage: How to Watch Outside Africa

Living outside Africa and want to follow every dribble from Salah and Mané without relying on poor-quality streams?

The good news is that AFCON has global high-definition coverage, ensuring that fans across all continents can dive into the action.

• United States: beIN Sports is the official broadcaster, airing all live matches with broadcast quality. You can access it via cable or popular streaming platforms like FuboTV and Sling TV.
• Central Europe: In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, DAZN is the go-to option. It will stream all matches live and on demand. Their focus is on image quality and user-friendly content organization.
• Netherlands: Exclusive to Dutch viewers, Ziggo Sport airs matches live via Ziggo GO and Ziggo Sport Totaal. Coverage is known for detailed replays and expert commentary from renowned former players.
• The free global option: CAF TV on YouTube is the perfect choice for fans unwilling to pay for subscriptions. While it may not broadcast every match live, it provides free and instant access to highlights, behind-the-scenes, and match recaps.

4. Schedule: Must-Watch Matches

Get ready for the countdown! The AFCON group stage is always a festival of tight clashes, and Morocco’s edition will be no different.

Kick-off, classics, and breathtaking clashes: here are the moments you can’t miss.

• 21 December 2025 (Opening): Morocco vs Comoros – The opening game is always thrilling.
• 22 December 2025: Egypt vs Zimbabwe and South Africa vs Angola – Salah’s Pharaohs take the field, and Group B, one of the toughest, starts strong with two heavy disputes.
• 23 December 2025: Senegal vs Botswana and Nigeria vs Tanzania – Two of the strongest offensive powers in action. Expect goals and dazzling skill from Sadio Mané and company.
• 24 December 2025: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique and Cameroon vs Gabon – Group F heats up with reigning champions facing the fearsome Indomitable Lions.
• 26 December – 31 December 2025: Final Group Stage Rounds – The tensest week, with simultaneous matches and last-minute twists. Mark your calendar for pure drama.
• 03 January 2026: Knockout Stage Begins – Round of 16! From here, there’s no room for mistakes.
• 18 January 2026: The Grand Final – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat) will host the crowning of the new king of African football.

5. Confirmed Teams: Who Will Take the Field

The final draw, held on January 27, 2025, in Rabat, was the moment AFCON 2025 tension became real.

The 24 teams were divided into six groups, and some of them are already stirring heated debates among experts.

• Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros – The host leads, but Mali is dangerous and could can occupy the top spot.
• Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe – A clash of giants ready to surprise fans.
• Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania – Nigeria should dominate, but Tunisia’s experience can’t be overlooked.
• Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana – Senegal are favorites, but DR Congo is underestimated and physically imposing.
• Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan – Mahrez’s Algeria looks strong, but Burkina Faso is always a tricky opponent.
• Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique – The toughest group, where every match is a final. The clash between the champions and the Indomitable Lions is unmissable.

6. Favorites and Title Contenders

In such a balanced competition as AFCON, predicting the winner is risky, but recent history and current squad strength give us some clear indicators.

These are the teams heading to Morocco with the best chances of lifting the trophy.

1. Morocco: Impossible to ignore the strength of the Atlas Lions. Achraf Hakimi is one of the best full-backs in the world, and the attacking duo with Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri can make history.
2. Senegal: With a core of experienced, victorious players (Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly), Senegal always fights for glory. They’re physically strong and tactically disciplined.
3. Egypt: The record title-holder (seven in total) thrives in knockout stages. With Mohamed Salah at his peak, Egypt has the firepower and intimidating legacy to unsettle rivals. Never count them out!

Conclusion

Without a doubt, AFCON 2025 will be more than just a tournament; it will be a cultural celebration and a showcase of talent.

Get ready to live every moment, feel the excitement from the stands, and cheer until the very last minute!