Africa Cup of Nations 2025: What to know about the tournament

"African football's finest teams and brightest stars will take centre stage in Morocco when the continent's premier showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations, kicks off on Sunday. Ivory Coast will look to defend the title they won in 2023, while Morocco, Egypt and Senegal are also among the pretournament favourites. With high-profile players such as Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi and Victor Osimhen set to feature, the 2025 edition is expected to deliver top-tier football and storylines that extend well beyond the pitch."

"The CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will begin on Sunday, as host nation Morocco play Comoros in the opening game. The final will be played on January 18 at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, marking the conclusion of the 52-match tournament. Group stage: December 21 to 31 Round of 16: January 3 to 6 Quarterfinals: January 9 and 10 Semifinals: January 14 Third-place playoff: January 17 Final: January 18"

"The tournament in Morocco was due to be played in June, but that clashed with the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which was held in the United States at the time. It marks the first time AFCON will take place over the Christmas and New Year period. Morocco is hosting the 35th edition of AFCON across nine venues in six cities the most ever for an AFCON."

The 35th Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Morocco with the opening match featuring Morocco against Comoros and the final scheduled for January 18 at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The tournament will comprise 52 matches across nine venues in six cities, the most venues ever used for an AFCON. The group stage runs from December 21 to 31 and knockout rounds follow in early to mid-January. Ivory Coast enter as defending champions while Morocco, Egypt and Senegal are among the favourites. The event was moved from June to avoid a clash with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Guinea was stripped of hosting rights over readiness concerns. This edition is the first to span Christmas and New Year and marks Morocco's second time hosting after 1988.

Read at www.aljazeera.com