All You Need to Know Ahead of the AFCON 2025 Final Draw Today
The stage is set at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, where 24 African football nations will learn their group stage opponents in the highly-anticipated Final Draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 on Monday.
The event, set for 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT), will reveal the group stage opponents for 24 teams competing for African football’s most coveted trophy.
The draw is more than just a formal procedure—it marks the symbolic beginning of Africa’s premier football competition, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
With the mood across the continent reaching fever pitch, coaches, players, and fans are eager to find out who their teams will face in the group stage battles.
The 24 Competing Nations
The tournament features a blend of perennial powerhouses, rising stars, and debutants:
Pot 1: Morocco (hosts), Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions)
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
The diversity of teams promises a competition filled with contrasting styles and narratives.
Favourites and Underdogs
Host nation Morocco, returning to host the AFCON for the first time since 1988, will look to capitalize on their home advantage. The Atlas Lions, riding high on their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal run, are among the favourites.
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire are also eyeing back-to-back triumphs after lifting the trophy on home soil just one year ago. Senegal, the 2021 winners, led by coach Pape Thiaw, are equally determined to make history.
Meanwhile, underdogs like Botswana, returning to the AFCON for only the second time since 2012, and Comoros, looking to replicate their surprise 2021 campaign, bring a unique edge to the tournament.
Record Holders and Dark Horses
The record champions Egypt, spearheaded by stars like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, remain a formidable force. However, teams like Mali and Burkina Faso, often labeled as dark horses, could upset the traditional order with their talented squads.
Draw Mechanics
The draw will divide the 24 teams into six groups of four, with the top two in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the round of 16.
Morocco automatically occupies position A1 as hosts, while the rest of the teams are seeded based on their FIFA rankings.
A Star-Studded Evening
The Mohammed V National Theatre, inaugurated in 1961, is dressed for the occasion, showcasing Morocco’s elegance and cultural heritage.
The event will feature musical performances by internationally renowned artists like RedOne and Gims, celebrating the unity of sport and culture.
African football legends such as Essam El Hadary, Patrick Mboma, and Mustapha Hadji will grace the event, adding gravitas to the evening.
The tournament, scheduled from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, promises a showcase of talent, resilience, and passion as Africa’s finest compete for continental glory.
