The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to take place in Morocco, marking a significant milestone as the 24 qualified teams discover their group stage opponents. This highly anticipated event will shape the path for Africa’s top footballing nations as they prepare for the tournament scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Qualified Nations
Morocco, the host nation, will be joined by an impressive lineup of teams, including Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. These teams represent the best of African football, having secured their spots through rigorous qualification rounds.
Draw Procedure and Pots
The draw will allocate the 24 teams into six groups of four, with Morocco automatically placed at the top of Group A as hosts. African champions Côte d’Ivoire will also lead one of the other five groups. The teams have been categorized into four pots based on their FIFA World Rankings as of December 19, 2024.
- Pot 1: Morocco (A1), 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
The draw will begin with Morocco’s ball being placed in position A1. Teams from Pot 4 will then be drawn sequentially into positions A4, B4, C4, D4, E4, and F4. This process will be repeated for teams in Pots 3 and 2, with the remaining Pot 1 teams filling the top positions in Groups B through F.
Who Will Be Attending?
The event will feature prominent African football legends, adding a touch of glamour and prestige. Notable attendees include Essam El Hadary, the iconic Egyptian goalkeeper; Patrick Mboma, a celebrated Cameroonian forward; Aymen Mathlouthi from Tunisia; Côte d’Ivoire’s Gervinho; Mali’s Momo Sissoko; and Christopher Katongo, Zambia’s 2012 AFCON-winning captain. Their presence underscores the significance of this event in the African football calendar.
Time and Viewing Options
The draw will take place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, starting at 9 PM East African Time. Football fans can watch the event live on the official Confederation of African Football (CAF) website, CAFTV on YouTube, and various broadcasting platforms. In East Africa, SuperSport TV and Azam TV will provide coverage, while audiences across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas will also have access to the live broadcast.
This year’s AFCON draw is expected to captivate millions, setting the stage for thrilling encounters between Africa’s footballing giants. With the tournament less than a year away, the draw marks the beginning of an exciting journey for players, coaches, and fans alike.
