When the Africa Cup of Nations returns in December 2025, the whole world will turn its eyes toward Morocco, a land where ancient medinas meet modern stadiums and desert sunsets greet roaring football crowds. AFCON 2025 Schedule Morocco December January perfectly captures the spirit of this grand event. For one month, from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, Morocco will host Africa’s biggest football celebration — the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
This edition promises not only thrilling matches but also a unique atmosphere: games taking place over Christmas and New Year’s, in cities known for their culture, food, and hospitality. If you’re planning to follow your team or simply witness the continent’s most passionate tournament, here’s your complete AFCON 2025 schedule Morocco December Januray travel guide, and cultural experience roadmap — all in one.
🗓️ The Key Dates: December 2025 – January 2026
The official AFCON 2025 schedule runs for just under a month:
- Opening match: 21 December 2025 — Morocco vs Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
- Group Stage: 21 – 31 December 2025
- Round of 16: 1 – 5 January 2026
- Quarter-finals: 9 – 10 January 2026
- Semi-finals: 14 – 15 January 2026
- Third-place match: 17 January 2026
- Grand Final: 18 January 2026, Rabat
For travelers, this means Morocco will buzz with energy right through the festive period — offering a rare blend of football, cultural exploration, and year-end celebrations under clear winter skies.
🏟️ The Host Cities & Stadiums
Morocco has a proud footballing heritage and world-class infrastructure, making it a perfect host. The AFCON 2025 venues are spread across six major cities, each offering its own charm and travel experience:
1. Rabat — The Capital of Kickoffs
Home to the opening match and the final, Rabat will be the beating heart of AFCON 2025. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will host several key games. Explore Rabat’s Kasbah des Oudayas, stroll through the Andalusian Gardens, and sip mint tea overlooking the Atlantic.
2. Casablanca — The Football Metropolis
Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, offers big-city excitement, luxury hotels, and North Africa’s most famous arena: the Stade Mohammed V. Between matches, visit the Hassan II Mosque, stroll along the Corniche, and enjoy fine Moroccan seafood at sunset.
3. Marrakech — Where Desert Meets Drama
Expect vibrant energy in Marrakech, hosting several group-stage and knockout games at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. When you’re not at the stadium, lose yourself in the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, explore the Majorelle Gardens, and sample the spice-laden delights of Moroccan cuisine.
4. Tangier — Gateway to the Mediterranean
At the Grand Stade de Tanger, northern Morocco will showcase football passion by the sea. Tangier’s international flair, coastal breeze, and blue-and-white streets make it one of the most photogenic AFCON stops.
5. Agadir — Surf, Sand, and Stadium Cheers
Grand Stade d’Agadir will host crucial group-stage matches near Morocco’s best beaches. Fans can mix football with surf lessons, camel rides, or day trips into the Atlas Mountains.
6. Fès — Heritage and Heartbeat
The Complexe Sportif de Fès adds a historical twist to AFCON 2025. The old medina of Fès is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure — perfect for travelers wanting culture between games.
⚽ Group Stage: December Football under Moroccan Skies
The group stage, running from 21 to 31 December, will feature 24 nations divided into six groups of four.
Highlights include:
- Opening clash: Morocco vs Comoros (21 Dec, Rabat)
- Power encounter: Nigeria vs Tunisia (27 Dec, Fès)
- North African rivalry: Algeria vs Burkina Faso (28 Dec, Rabat 2 Stadium)
- Final group matches: 31 December — a day of decisive drama before the New Year fireworks.
The atmosphere in Morocco during this period will be electric — cafés and riads adorned with national flags, souks filled with visiting fans, and live match screenings in nearly every square.
🎉 A Football Christmas & New Year’s in Morocco
One of the most fascinating aspects of AFCON 2025 is its timing. Because of global scheduling shifts, this edition lands during Christmas and New Year’s. Imagine celebrating New Year’s Eve in Marrakech, surrounded by chanting fans and the aroma of tagine, then waking up to knockout-stage football!
Morocco’s mild winter climate (averaging 15–22°C) means you can enjoy daytime sightseeing, coastal walks, and evening matches without heavy winter gear.
For travelers, December and January are the perfect months to explore Morocco — smaller crowds at non-AFCON sites, comfortable weather, and vibrant fan zones bringing together cultures from across Africa.
🏆 Knockout Stage: January 2026 — The Road to Glory
After the fireworks of New Year’s, the knockout rounds begin.
From 1 to 5 January 2026, the Round of 16 will narrow the field, leading to quarter-finals on 9 and 10 January.
Expect heavyweight clashes — Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and hosts Morocco all eyeing continental glory.
By 14–15 January, the semi-finals will light up Rabat and Casablanca, leading to the third-place match (17 Jan) and the final (18 Jan) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — where Africa’s new champions will be crowned.
🌍 Travel Tips for AFCON 2025 Visitors
✈️ Getting There
Morocco’s major airports — Casablanca Mohammed V, Marrakech Menara, and Rabat-Salé — connect to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Domestic flights and train routes (ONCF) make city-hopping easy for fans following multiple venues.
🏨 Where to Stay
Book early. AFCON will drive demand for hotels, riads, and guesthouses. For authenticity, try a traditional riad in Marrakech or Fès — intimate, historic, and surprisingly affordable.
🍴 Food & Culture
Between matches, indulge in Moroccan gastronomy: tagines, pastilla, couscous, and street-side harira soup. Each city has regional flavors — don’t miss seafood pastilla in Agadir or spiced coffee in Tangier.
💡 Local Etiquette
Moroccans are famously hospitable. Learn a few words in Arabic or French (“Shukran” = thank you), dress modestly in rural areas, and always accept tea when offered — it’s part of the friendship ritual.
📸 What Makes Morocco’s AFCON Special
Unlike previous editions, AFCON 2025 will merge football passion with Morocco’s cultural soul.
Here’s what sets it apart:
- Winter Sun Tournament: Warm weather, blue skies, and snow-capped Atlas peaks as backdrops.
- Holiday Timing: Fans can spend Christmas in Africa and ring in the New Year at a stadium.
- Scenic Venues: From seaside Tangier to desert-fringed Marrakech — every match feels cinematic.
- Top-tier Infrastructure: Morocco’s stadiums and rail links ensure smooth travel between games.
- Cultural Depth: Ancient medinas, desert excursions, and UNESCO cities enrich the football trip.
For many visitors, AFCON 2025 isn’t just about football — it’s about the experience of Morocco itself: the music, markets, flavors, and smiles that make Africa unforgettable.
🔔 Broadcast & Viewing
CAF will confirm global broadcasters closer to kickoff, but expect coverage across SuperSport, beIN Sports, and national networks. Fan zones are planned in Rabat, Marrakech, and Casablanca, where locals and visitors can gather to watch matches on giant outdoor screens.
📅 Summary — AFCON 2025 Schedule (Morocco, December–January)
| Stage | Dates | Key Venues |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Match | 21 Dec 2025 | Rabat |
| Group Stage | 21 – 31 Dec 2025 | Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fès, Agadir |
| Round of 16 | 1 – 5 Jan 2026 | Multiple venues |
| Quarter-finals | 9 – 10 Jan 2026 | Rabat, Casablanca |
| Semi-finals | 14 – 15 Jan 2026 | Rabat, Casablanca |
| 3rd Place Match | 17 Jan 2026 | Casablanca |
| Final | 18 Jan 2026 | Rabat |
(Official CAF match schedule — December 2025 to January 2026)
AFCON 2025 — Full Match Schedule (Morocco)
Tournament dates: 21 Dec 2025 – 18 Jan 2026.
Source: CAF match schedule (official PDF). (Confédération Africaine de Football)
Legend: (Stadium / City). All dates are local (Morocco). Match numbering follows CAF document.
Group Stage — December 2025
| Date | Match # | Teams | Stadium (City) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2025 | 1 | Morocco (MAR) v Comoros (COM) | Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat) |
| 22 Dec 2025 | 2 | Mali (MLI) v Zambia (ZAM) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 22 Dec 2025 | 3 | Egypt (EGY) v Zimbabwe (ZIM) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
| 22 Dec 2025 | 4 | South Africa (RSA) v Angola (ANG) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 23 Dec 2025 | 5 | Nigeria (NGA) v Tanzania (TAN) | Complexe Sportif de Fès (Fès) |
| 23 Dec 2025 | 6 | Tunisia (TUN) v Uganda (UGA) | Stade Annexe Olympique / Rabat 4 (Rabat) |
| 23 Dec 2025 | 7 | Senegal (SEN) v Botswana (BOT) | Grand Stade de Tanger (Tangier) |
| 23 Dec 2025 | 8 | DR Congo (COD) v Benin (BEN) | Stade El Barid (Rabat 3) |
| 24 Dec 2025 | 9 | Algeria (ALG) v Sudan (SDN) | Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan (Rabat 2) |
| 24 Dec 2025 | 10 | Burkina Faso (BFA) v Equatorial Guinea (EQG) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 24 Dec 2025 | 11 | Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) v Mozambique (MOZ) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 24 Dec 2025 | 12 | Cameroon (CMR) v Gabon (GAB) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | 13 | Morocco (MAR) v Mali (MLI) | Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | 14 | Zambia (ZAM) v Comoros (COM) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | 15 | Egypt (EGY) v South Africa (RSA) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | 16 | Angola (ANG) v Zimbabwe (ZIM) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 27 Dec 2025 | 17 | Nigeria (NGA) v Tunisia (TUN) | Complexe Sportif de Fès (Fès) |
| 27 Dec 2025 | 18 | Uganda (UGA) v Tanzania (TAN) | Stade El Barid (Rabat 3) |
| 27 Dec 2025 | 19 | DR Congo (COD) v Senegal (SEN) | Grand Stade de Tanger (Tangier) |
| 27 Dec 2025 | 20 | Benin (BEN) v Botswana (BOT) | Stade Annexe Olympique / Rabat 4 (Rabat) |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 21 | Algeria (ALG) v Burkina Faso (BFA) | Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan (Rabat 2) |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 22 | Equatorial Guinea (EQG) v Sudan (SDN) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 23 | Cameroon (CMR) v Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 24 | Gabon (GAB) v Mozambique (MOZ) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
| 29 Dec 2025 | 25 | Morocco (MAR) v Zambia (ZAM) | Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat) |
| 29 Dec 2025 | 26 | Comoros (COM) v Mali (MLI) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 29 Dec 2025 | 27 | Egypt (EGY) v Angola (ANG) | Stade El Barid (Rabat 3) |
| 29 Dec 2025 | 28 | Zimbabwe (ZIM) v South Africa (RSA) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 30 Dec 2025 | 29 | Nigeria (NGA) v Uganda (UGA) | Stade Annexe Olympique / Rabat 4 (Rabat) |
| 30 Dec 2025 | 30 | Tanzania (TAN) v Tunisia (TUN) | Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 31 | DR Congo (COD) v Botswana (BOT) | Grand Stade de Tanger (Tangier) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 32 | Benin (BEN) v Senegal (SEN) | Stade El Barid (Rabat 3) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 33 | Equatorial Guinea (EQG) v Algeria (ALG) | Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan (Rabat 2) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 34 | Sudan (SDN) v Burkina Faso (BFA) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 35 | Gabon (GAB) v Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) | Grand Stade de Marrakech (Marrakech) |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 36 | Mozambique (MOZ) v Cameroon (CMR) | Grand Stade d’Agadir (Agadir) |
(Group stage complete — 36 matches total.)
Source: CAF match schedule (visual schedule grid). (Confédération Africaine de Football)
Knock-out Stage — January 2026
| Date | Match # | Stage | Teams / Pairing (as published by CAF) | Stadium (City) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | 37 | Round of 16 | 1A v 3C/D/E (Winner of Group A v one of best 3rd) | (various — per CAF schedule) |
| 1 Jan 2026 | 38 | Round of 16 | 2A v 2C | |
| 3 Jan 2026 | 39 | Round of 16 | 1B v 3A/C/D | |
| 3 Jan 2026 | 40 | Round of 16 | 2B v 2F | |
| 4 Jan 2026 | 41 | Round of 16 | 1C v 3A/B/F | |
| 4 Jan 2026 | 42 | Round of 16 | 1D v 3B/E/F | |
| 5 Jan 2026 | 43 | Round of 16 | 1F v 2E | |
| 5 Jan 2026 | 44 | Round of 16 | 1E v 2D | |
| 9 Jan 2026 | 45 | Quarter-final | W40 v W39 | |
| 9 Jan 2026 | 46 | Quarter-final | W47 v W46 | |
| 10 Jan 2026 | 47 | Quarter-final | W41 v W42 | |
| 10 Jan 2026 | 48 | Quarter-final | W43 v W44 | |
| 14 Jan 2026 | 49 | Semi-final | W45 v W48 | |
| 15 Jan 2026 | 50 | Semi-final | W47 v W46 | |
| 17 Jan 2026 | 51 | 3rd Place Play-off | L49 v L50 | |
| 18 Jan 2026 | 52 | Final | W49 v W50 | Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (R |
✨ Final Thoughts
The AFCON 2025 schedule offers more than football — it’s an invitation to celebrate Africa in Morocco. From Rabat’s grand finale to Agadir’s coastal chants, every match is set against a backdrop of color, culture, and connection.
Whether you’re flying in to cheer your nation, explore Morocco’s ancient cities, or simply chase the rhythm of African football, December 2025 to January 2026 will be a chapter you’ll never forget.
So mark your calendar, pack your jersey — and get ready for AFCON 2025: Morocco’s month-long festival of sport, sun, and soul.
FAQ – AFCON 2025 Schedule Morocco December January
When does the AFCON 2025 final take place?
The AFCON 2025 final will be played on 18 January 2026 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
How many cities will host AFCON 2025 matches?
A total of six Moroccan cities will host AFCON 2025: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, and Fès — each offering unique travel experiences.
What is special about Morocco hosting AFCON 2025?
Morocco offers a perfect mix of modern stadiums, rich culture, and winter sunshine, making the AFCON 2025 schedule Morocco December January one of the most anticipated editions ever.