The 2025 AFCON will be played from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 following the decision of CAF to adjust the schedule of the tournament for the congested FIFA calendar.
It will be the first time in Nations Cup history that the tournament will kick off in December and run over the Christmas and New Year periods.
The full draw for 2025 AFCON qualifiers made in Johannesburg on Thursday:
Group A
Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, Gambia
Group B
Morocco (hosts), Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho
Group C
Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana
Group D
Nigeria, Benin, Libya, Rwanda
Group E
Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia
Group F
Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger
Group G
Ivory Coast (holders), Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad
Group H
Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia
Group I
Mali, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini
Group J
Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe
Group K
South Africa, Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan
Group L
Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi
Dates
Sept 2-10: Matchdays 1, 2
Oct 7-15: Matchdays 3, 4
Nov 11-15: Matchdays 5, 6
Notes
— Liberia, Eswatini, South Sudan and Chad won preliminary ties; other 44 qualifiers received byes.
— Winners and runners-up qualify from each group except that containing Morocco, who will take part to gain competitive match practice. Morocco qualify automatically as hosts so only the best placed of the other three teams in their section will secure a place.
— Morocco will host Cup of Nations from Dec 21 2025 to Jan 18 2026.
AFP
