Morocco is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the second time since 1988, and the country is pulling out all the stops for a grand celebration of African football. This edition will feature 24 teams, a significant increase from the 8 teams that competed in 1988. The tournament will be a momentous occasion for fans and players alike, with the ceremony expected to be a spectacle of both football and culture.
Celebrating African Football Icons and Musical Talent
The opening ceremony promises to showcase some of Africa’s greatest football legends, including Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi, and Ivory Coast’s Gervinho. These stars, who have etched their names in AFCON history, will be among the many celebrated during the event.
Additionally, the ceremony will feature an exciting music show with a stellar lineup of top African artists. Moroccan singer Hatim Ammor, Congolese star Maître Gims, and the renowned music producer RedOne, who hails from Morocco, are all set to light up the stage, adding a vibrant musical dimension to the celebration of football.
A Cultural Tribute Through the Official Logo
CAF also unveiled the official logo for the 2025 AFCON, which reflects Morocco’s rich cultural heritage. The logo features the AFCON trophy adorned with zellige, a traditional Moroccan mosaic art style that showcases the country’s deep artistic roots and commitment to preserving its cultural identity.
AFCON Draw and Groupings
The draw for the 2025 AFCON will divide the 24 qualified teams into four pots based on their FIFA rankings:
- Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire
- Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso
- Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Benin
- Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Botswana
These teams will be drawn into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, promising intense competition as the tournament progresses.
The Road to Glory
Historically, Egypt has dominated the AFCON, holding the record with seven titles. Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire are looking to add to their three titles, while Cameroon has lifted the trophy five times. Nigeria and Algeria have each claimed the trophy three and two times, respectively. Morocco, despite being one of the tournament’s powerhouses, has only won the title once in 1976, in a format that was vastly different from today’s, as it did not feature a knockout stage.
With the expanded 24-team format and Morocco’s rich footballing legacy, the 2025 AFCON is set to be an unforgettable tournament filled with excitement, culture, and passion for the beautiful game.
