The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Morocco this month with Mohamed Salah seeking to win an elusive title with Egypt.
The Liverpool star isn’t the only Premier League player taking part, with Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and a number of others in action too.
The Ivory Coast head in as current champions, winning AFCON 2023, as Nigeria attempt to bounce back from World Cup play-off disappointment.
Riyadh Mahrez and Sadio Mane could play key roles for Algeria and Senegal respectively – but which nation are favourites to go all the way?
Scroll down to find out and you can also check out the full schedule, start date, groups plus how to watch on TV and live stream in the UK…
When does AFCON start? Full schedule
AFCON 2025 gets started on Sunday, December 21 2025. The tournament will then finish on January 18, 2026.
Premier League players to look out for at AFCON 2025
Around 50 African players currently play in the Premier League but not everyone is involved due to selection, injury or their nation not qualifying for the finals.
Click here for Premier League players to look out for at AFCON 2025.
Group stage schedule
All kick-off times are GMT
Sunday December 21
Group A: Morocco vs Comoros, kick-off 7pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Monday December 22
Group A: Mali vs Zambia, kick-off 2.30pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
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Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe, kick-off 5pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: South Africa vs Angola, kick-off 7.30pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Tuesday December 23
Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania, kick-off 12pm – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda, kick-off 2.30pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Group D: Senegal vs Botswana, kick-off 5pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: DR Congo vs Benin, kick-off 7.30pm – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Wednesday December 24
Group E: Algeria vs Sudan, kick-off 12pm – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea, kick-off 2.30pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique, kick-off 5pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon, kick-off 7.30pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Friday December 26
Group A: Morocco vs Mali, kick-off 12pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros, kick-off 2.30pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa, kick-off 5pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe, kick-off 7.30pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Saturday December 27
Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia, kick-off 12pm – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania, kick-off 2.30pm – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo, kick-off 5pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: Benin vs Botswana, kick-off 7.30pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Sunday December 28
Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso, kick-off 12pm – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan, kick-off 2.30pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon, kick-off 5pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique, kick-off 7.30pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Monday December 29
Group A: Comoros vs Mali, kick-off 5.30pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group A: Zambia vs Morocco, kick-off 5.30pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Group B: Angola vs Egypt, kick-off 7.30pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa, kick-off 7.30pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Tuesday December 30
Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia, kick-off 5pm – Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium, Rabat
Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria, kick-off 5pm – Fez Stadium, Fez
Group D: Benin vs Senegal, kick-off 7.30pm – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo, kick-off 7.30pm – Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Wednesday December 31
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria, kick-off 5pm – Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso, kick-off 5pm – Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca
Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 7.30pm – Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon, kick-off 7.30pm – Adrar Stadium, Agadir
Dates for later stages of AFCON 2025
Last 16: Saturday January 3 2026 to Tuesday January 6 2026
Quarter-finals: Friday January 9 2026 and Saturday January 10 2026
Semi-finals: Wednesday January 14 2026
Third-place play-off: Saturday January 17 2026
Final: Sunday January 18 2026
Groups
Group A: Comoros, Mali, Morocco, Zambia.
Group B: Angola, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Group C: Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda.
Group D: Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Senegal.
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan.
Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique.
How to watch on TV and live stream
All AFCON 2025 matches will be shown live across Channel 4’s TV and live streaming network – airing on Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Streaming and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
Who are the favourites to win?
Morocco, the hosts for AFCON 2025, are widely considered to be the main favourites to be crowned champions of Africa this year.
Egypt are largely seen as the second favourites, with Algeria and Senegal viewed by many as joint-third favourites.
Nigeria are also in the mix and you can’t rule out of the likes of Mali, the Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Cameroon either.
Click here for the latest betting odds from Sky Bet.