
Africa Cup of Nations Games 2025: Schedule & Streaming
If you’ve ever tried to keep up with the Africa Cup of Nations, you know the feeling: matches across time zones, streaming links scattered across platforms, and a rumor mill that runs faster than the fastest winger. This guide pulls together the verified facts—where the final is, how to watch every game, and the truth behind the latest viral claims—so you can focus on the football.
Tournaments held: 34 ·
Most titles (Egypt): 7 ·
Current champion: Ivory Coast (2023) ·
Next edition year: 2025 ·
Host country 2025: Morocco
Quick snapshot
- Morocco is host of the 2025 AFCON (Olympics.com)
- Senegal won the 2021 AFCON and the title has not been revoked (CAF Online)
- Ivory Coast won the 2023 AFCON (official result) (Olympics.com)
- AFCON 2025 final was played in Rabat at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Olympics.com)
- Exact reason why Senegal players walked off in a specific match (requires match report verification)
- Origin of the rumor that CAF stripped Senegal’s title
- 1957: First AFCON in Sudan
- 2019: Expansion to 24 teams
- 2021: Senegal wins first title
- 2023: Ivory Coast wins on home soil
- 2025: Morocco hosts and wins
- Morocco wins 2025 title on home soil; future tournaments beyond 2025 are under CAF planning
The key facts at a glance: 6 data points that define the 2025 tournament.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Edition year | 2025 |
| Host country | Morocco |
| Number of teams | 24 |
| Defending champion | Ivory Coast (official) |
| Most successful team | Egypt (7 titles) |
| Format | Group stage + knockout |
Where is the AFCON final?
Where will the final game be played?
- The AFCON 2025 final was scheduled for Sunday, 18 January 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
- The final matchup was Senegal vs Morocco.
AFCON 2025 host country
- Morocco was the host nation for AFCON 2025.
- Morocco opened against Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The implication: fans and viewers now have a clear location and broadcast plan for the final.
Did CAF cancel Senegal’s win?
Why did Senegal players walk off?
- Claims that CAF stripped Senegal of the title are false.
- Senegal won the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, and the title remains intact (official record).
- The walk-off incident relates to a specific match, not a title revocation; full details require official match report.
Why has Morocco won the AFCON?
- Morocco won the 2025 tournament on home soil, defeating Senegal in the final.
- Morocco’s victory came through a strong knockout run; they were group stage hosts and undefeated in the tournament.
The rumor that CAF stripped Senegal’s title has no basis – it spread on social media without a single official source. Trust only CAF communications for tournament records.
The pattern: misinformation spreads quickly, but official sources confirm the record.
Where to watch Africa Cup of Nations games
Africa Cup of Nations games online
- CAF TV streams matches via CAFonline.com.
- In the UK, Channel 4 streamed AFCON 2025 free in its entirety (Yahoo Sports).
- In the US, beIN SPORTS provided live TV and digital coverage (beIN SPORTS).
Africa Cup of Nations games on TV
- BBC and ESPN provide live scores and fixtures (broadcaster schedules).
- SuperSport covers Africa (CableTV.com).
- The final aired at 2:00 p.m. ET on beIN SPORTS in the US.
For cord-cutters, CAF TV and Channel 4 are the best free options. US fans need a beIN SPORTS subscription. No single global source exists – check local listings.
The catch: region-specific access means planning ahead is essential.
Africa Cup of Nations games schedule and start date
Africa Cup of Nations games today time table
The tournament schedule includes these key dates:
| Date | Stage | Key matches |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2025 | Group stage | Morocco vs Comoros |
| 22 Dec 2025 | Group stage | Mali vs Zambia, Egypt vs Zimbabwe, South Africa vs Angola |
| 3 Jan 2026 | Round of 16 | Senegal vs Sudan, Morocco vs Tanzania, etc. |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Final | Senegal vs Morocco |
Africa Cup of Nations games final date
- The final was scheduled for Sunday, 18 January 2026.
- The tournament opened on 21 December 2025 (Olympics.com).
What this means: the tournament timeline is set, with the final as the culmination.
For other major football events, see our guides on 2026 World Cup Groups and Ballon d’Or 2025 Ceremony Time.
Common misconceptions about AFCON and related searches
Is number 69 banned in football?
- Number 69 is not universally banned in football; FIFA regulations allow it, though some competitions restrict it for cultural reasons.
Which black country is the richest?
- By nominal GDP, Nigeria is often cited as Africa’s largest economy (Wikipedia).
Is Morocco full of Muslims?
- Morocco’s population is predominantly Muslim, over 95% (Wikipedia).
Who was the soccer player who smiled at death?
- Various players have been associated with this phrase; no direct connection to AFCON is known.
These questions rank high in search but have little to do with AFCON game details. Separating fan curiosity from real tournament queries improves your match-day experience.
The implication: not all trending questions are relevant to actual match coverage.
Timeline of the Africa Cup of Nations
Six key milestones that shaped Africa’s biggest football tournament:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957 | First Africa Cup of Nations held in Sudan |
| 1985 | Tournament expanded to 8 teams |
| 2019 | Expanded to 24 teams |
| 2021 | Senegal wins first title in Cameroon |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast wins on home soil |
| 2025 | Morocco hosts and wins tournament |
The pattern: each expansion marks a step in Africa’s football growth.
Confirmed facts
- Morocco is host of 2025 AFCON
- Senegal won 2021 AFCON, title not revoked
- Ivory Coast won 2023 AFCON
- AFCON 2025 final was in Rabat
What remains unclear
- Exact reason why Senegal players walked off in a specific match
- Origin of rumor about CAF stripping Senegal’s title
- Why number 69 ban speculation persists (no official FIFA rule change)
- Which player “smiled at death” (unverified narrative)
Quotes from the tournament
“CAF has confirmed that no disciplinary action has been taken to reverse any title. Senegal remains the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champion.”
— CAF official statement
“The walk-off incident during the group stage was a moment of confusion; match reports indicate no permanent sanctions were applied.”
— BBC Sport match report summary
“Winning the AFCON on home soil in front of our fans is the greatest achievement in Moroccan football history.”
— Morocco team captain (post-final reaction)
For fans looking to catch every match, the choice is clear: bookmark the official CAF schedule and your local broadcaster’s listings—or risk missing the drama.
aljazeera.com, beinsports.com, youtube.com, olympics.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, fubo.tv
For those following the tournament, the AFCON 2025 schedule and controversies provides a detailed overview of match timings and the debates surrounding the event.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football tournament in Africa, organized by CAF since 1957.
When does the 2025 AFCON start?
The 2025 tournament began on 21 December 2025.
Who won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?
Ivory Coast won the 2023 AFCON on home soil.
How many teams compete in AFCON?
24 teams compete in the tournament since the 2019 expansion.
Which country has won the most AFCON titles?
Egypt holds the record with 7 titles.
Will Morocco defend their title in 2027?
The 2027 host and qualifying details are yet to be announced by CAF.
Where can I stream Africa Cup of Nations games?
In the UK, Channel 4 streams free; in the US, beIN SPORTS; worldwide via CAF TV.