ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE — The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw has unveiled a captivating group stage, pitting defending champions Ivory Coast against their longstanding rivals, Cameroon.
The draw ceremony, a dazzling spectacle held in Rabat, Morocco, placed the Elephants in Group F alongside Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique.
The tournament, set to grace Moroccan stadiums from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will kick off with a highly anticipated clash between hosts Morocco and Comoros.
Nigeria, the runner-up in the 2023 AFCON final against Ivory Coast, faces a challenging Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, two of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON.
Group B features a Southern African showdown, with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe drawn alongside Egypt and their star forward, Mohamed Salah.
Sudan, a testament to the enduring spirit of football, qualified for AFCON 2025 despite the ongoing civil war in the country. They face a formidable test against Algeria in Group E.
The draw ceremony was graced by footballing luminaries, including Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji, two-time AFCON winner with Ivory Coast Serge Aurier, and Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON-winning captain, Joseph Yobo. Senegal’s 2021 AFCON-winning coach, Aliou Cisse, also played a part, with his nation drawn in Group D alongside DR Congo.
The 24 participating teams are divided into six groups. The group winners and runners-up, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
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Here are the final group stage draws for AFCON 2025:
*GROUP A:* Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
*GROUP B:* Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
*GROUP C:* Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
*GROUP D:* Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
*GROUP E:* Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
*GROUP F:* Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique