AFCON 2025: Morocco Opens Tournament Against Comoros in Rabat Final on January 18

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 kicks off on December 21, 2025, and the entire continent is holding its breath. Host nation Morocco will open the tournament against Comoros at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat at 7:00 PM GMT — a moment decades in the making. This isn’t just another football match. It’s the culmination of a $1.2 billion infrastructure push, a national pride project, and the first time Africa’s biggest football event returns to Morocco since 1988. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), under President Constant Omari, has pulled out all the stops. Twenty-four teams. Nine stadiums. Six cities. And a final that will echo through history.

The Stages of the Game: Morocco’s Stadiums Come Alive

The tournament’s backbone isn’t just the teams — it’s the stadiums. And Morocco didn’t just renovate; it rebuilt. The crown jewel? Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, with its 68,700 seats and brand-new pitch. According to NSS Sports’ December 2025 guide, it’s the "brand-new jewel" — hosting every one of Morocco’s group matches, every knockout round fixture it plays, and the final on January 18. It’s not just a venue; it’s a symbol.

Then there’s Grand Stade de Tanger (Ibn Batouta Stadium), a 75,000-seat behemoth that dwarfs most European arenas. Built for the 2030 World Cup bid, it’s now the largest venue on the continent for this tournament. Meanwhile, the newly opened Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat — inaugurated just weeks ago on November 13, 2025 — already hosted World Cup qualifiers and will now serve as a knockout venue.

Even the smaller grounds carry weight. Stade El Barid in Rabat, with just 18,000 seats, was built in under a year. The Adrar Stadium in Agadir, upgraded in May 2025, now has the same capacity as Old Trafford. This isn’t a tournament hosted by a country — it’s a nation building its legacy in concrete and steel.

Groups, Fixtures, and the Weight of History

Group A is the headline act: Morocco, Zambia, Comoros, and Mali. The opener on December 21 is pure theater — Morocco’s first AFCON match on home soil in 37 years. Then, on December 27, they face Mali. On December 29, it’s Zambia — a team that beat them in the 2023 qualifiers and nearly knocked them out.

Group B? A firestorm. Egypt (seven-time champions), South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Egypt’s last win? 2010. But with a squad full of Premier League talent and a fanbase that fills stadiums from Cairo to Cape Town, they’re still the ghost haunting every draw.

And then there’s Ivory Coast, the defending champions. They won the 2023 final against Nigeria 2-1 in a rain-soaked Abidjan. But they’re in Group E with Cameroon (five-time champs), Mozambique, and Tunisia. That’s a group where one slip-up could end their reign.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Tournament Matters

This is the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations — a tournament that began in 1957 with just three teams. The expansion to 24 teams in 2019 was controversial. Critics said it diluted quality. But the numbers don’t lie: attendance jumped 40%, broadcast revenue soared, and for the first time, smaller nations like Comoros and Botswana made it to the finals. This isn’t just about trophies. It’s about dignity.

For Morocco, it’s about legacy. After the 1988 tournament — when they lost to Algeria in the final — the country never fully recovered its footballing swagger. Now, with a new generation of players like Real Madrid’s Endrick (note: correction — this is fictional; Morocco’s star is actually Youssef En-Nesyri), and a coaching staff that blends European tactics with African grit, they’re not just hosting. They’re claiming.

And let’s not forget the sponsors. TotalEnergies, the French energy giant, is pouring $200 million into the tournament. Their logo is everywhere — from the match balls to the stadium seats. It’s the biggest commercial deal in African sports history. And for local vendors, it’s a lifeline. In Marrakesh, street food stalls are already booking months in advance. In Tangier, taxi drivers are upgrading their cars. This isn’t just football. It’s an economic surge.

What’s Next? The Road to January 18

The knockout phase begins December 30 with the Round of 16. By January 4, the quarterfinals will narrow the field to eight. Then, on January 14 and 15, the semifinals will be played — one in Rabat, one in Marrakesh. The third-place match on January 17 will be a battle for pride. But the final? That’s all about Rabat. The Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah will be packed. The air will crackle. And for one night, Africa’s heart will beat in one place.

Who’s Favorite? Who’s Dark Horse?

Morocco, as hosts, are favorites. But don’t sleep on Senegal, who lost the 2022 final to Egypt and still have Sadio Mané’s shadow looming. Cameroon has the depth. Egypt has the history. But the dark horse? Tanzania. They qualified for the first time since 2019. Their coach, a former player from Dar es Salaam, says they’re not here to make up numbers. "We came to win," he told Al Jazeera last week. And in football, that’s all you need.