AFCON fixtures for the 2025/26 tournament concluded on January 18, 2026, with Senegal defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The tournament, which began on December 21, 2025, featured 52 matches across six Moroccan host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez. While the 2025/26 edition is complete, the next major set of AFCON fixtures will occur during the 2027 qualification rounds, scheduled to begin with the preliminary stage in March 2026.
In this comprehensive guide, you will find the final results of the 2025 tournament, a detailed breakdown of the knockout bracket, and the upcoming schedule for the 2027 “Pamoja” AFCON hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Whether you are looking for past match scores or planning for the next continental showpiece, this article provides the authoritative data you need.
2025/26 AFCON Tournament Summary
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was a historic “winter” tournament, marking the first time the event was held during the Christmas and New Year period. Senegal emerged as champions for the second time, overcoming the host nation Morocco in a tense final that required extra time to settle.
Nigeria secured the third-place position after a playoff against Egypt, completing a podium dominated by the continent’s traditional powerhouses. The tournament was praised for its high-quality infrastructure in Morocco, which utilized nine world-class stadiums to host the 24 competing nations.
AFCON 2025 Final Results
The knockout stages of the 2025 tournament delivered high-stakes drama, culminating in the final match in Rabat. Below is the breakdown of the results from the most critical fixtures of the competition.
The Grand Final
The final took place on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time, with the winning goal scored by Papa Gueye in the 94th minute. The match was attended by over 60,000 fans and featured a viral halftime appearance by global personality IShowSpeed.
Third-Place Playoff
In the battle for the bronze medal, Nigeria faced off against Egypt on January 17, 2026. After a scoreless draw in regular time, Nigeria triumphed in the penalty shootout, securing a 3rd-place finish and leaving the record-holders, Egypt, in 4th.
Semi-Final Results
- Senegal 1–0 Egypt: Sadio Mané scored the decisive goal in the 78th minute to send the Lions of Teranga to their second consecutive final.
- Morocco 0–0 Nigeria (Morocco won 4-2 on pens): The hosts relied on the heroics of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to advance past a resilient Super Eagles side.
2027 AFCON Qualification Schedule
With the 2025 edition concluded, the focus of African football shifts to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The qualification fixtures are structured into three primary windows throughout 2026.
Preliminary Round Fixtures
The preliminary round involves the lowest-ranked nations in a two-legged playoff format to determine who joins the main group stage. These matches are scheduled for March 25–31, 2026.
| Matchup | First Leg Date | Second Leg Date |
| Djibouti vs South Sudan | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| Chad vs Burundi | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| Somalia vs Mauritius | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| Seychelles vs Lesotho | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| Eritrea vs Eswatini | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| São Tomé vs Ethiopia | March 25, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
2027 Group Stage Windows
Once the preliminary round is complete, the 48 participating nations will be drawn into 12 groups of four. The fixtures for these groups will take place across three international breaks in the latter half of 2026.
September/October 2026 Fixtures
The bulk of the group stage action occurs during this window. Matchdays 1 through 4 are scheduled between September 21 and October 6, 2026, where teams will play both home and away fixtures in a rapid-fire sequence.
November 2026 Final Matchdays
The qualification cycle concludes with Matchdays 5 and 6, scheduled for November 9–17, 2026. By the end of this window, the final 24-team lineup for the 2027 tournament in East Africa will be officially confirmed.
AFCON 2025 Group Stage Recaps
The group stages in Morocco provided the foundation for the tournament’s success. Below are the final standings and key results from the six groups that competed in December 2025.
Group A: Morocco and Mali
Host nation Morocco dominated Group A, finishing with 7 points after wins over Comoros and Zambia. Mali secured the second spot with three consecutive draws, enough to edge out Comoros and Zambia who both failed to find a winning rhythm.
Group B: Egypt and South Africa
Egypt topped Group B with 7 points, headlined by a narrow 1-0 victory over South Africa. Despite the loss to the Pharaohs, South Africa’s 2-1 win over Angola and a 3-2 thriller against Zimbabwe secured their passage to the Round of 16.
Group C: Nigeria’s Perfect Run
Nigeria was the only team in the tournament to finish the group stage with a perfect record of 9 points. They secured victories over Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2), and Uganda (3-1), firmly establishing themselves as early title favorites.
Group D: Senegal and DR Congo
The eventual champions, Senegal, started strong with 7 points in Group D. They were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo, who also qualified comfortably after a 3-0 demolition of Botswana in their final group fixture.
Tournament Venues and Cities
Morocco utilized its extensive stadium renovation program to provide high-capacity venues for the AFCON fixtures. The spread of matches across the country ensured a diverse atmosphere for visiting fans.
Rabat: The Tournament Hub
The capital city served as the primary base, with four different stadiums utilized. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was the centerpiece, hosting the opening match, several high-profile knockouts, and the grand final.
Agadir and Marrakech
Southern Morocco hosted Groups B and F. The Adrar Stadium in Agadir and the Marrakech Grand Stadium were frequently praised by players for their pristine turf conditions and modern facilities, including advanced recovery suites for the athletes.
Practical Information for Fans
If you are planning to attend the 2027 AFCON or upcoming qualification matches, understanding the logistics is essential for a smooth experience.
Ticket Pricing and Sales
For the 2025 tournament, tickets ranged from 50 MAD ($5 USD) for category 3 group stage seats to 600 MAD ($60 USD) for premium final tickets. Expect similar tiered pricing for the 2027 edition, with sales typically launching 3-4 months before the opening match.
Transport and Accommodation
Hosting across three countries in 2027 (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) will require regional travel. Fans should look for “Pamoja” travel passes, which are expected to be introduced to facilitate cross-border movement between Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 AFCON?
Senegal won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final on January 18, 2026.
Where will AFCON 2027 be held?
The 2027 tournament will be co-hosted by three East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
When do the next AFCON qualification fixtures start?
The preliminary round for the 2027 AFCON qualifications begins on March 25, 2026.
How many teams participate in the AFCON group stage?
A total of 24 national teams qualify for the final tournament, divided into six groups of four.
Who was the top scorer of AFCON 2025?
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 5 goals.
What stadium hosted the AFCON 2025 final?
The final was held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Are the 2027 hosts automatically qualified?
Yes, as co-hosts, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania receive automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament.
Which team has won the most AFCON titles?
Egypt holds the record with 7 continental titles, though their last win was in 2010.
What is the “Pamoja” bid?
“Pamoja” is the Swahili word for “together,” representing the joint hosting effort of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for 2027.
Where can I buy tickets for AFCON fixtures?
Tickets are officially sold through the CAF online ticketing portal and authorized physical outlets in the host countries.
What happens if an AFCON knockout match ends in a draw?
Matches proceed to 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if the scores remain level.
Final Thoughts
As the continental spotlight shifts from the Atlantic coast of Morocco to the Great Lakes region of East Africa, the AFCON fixtures for 2027 represent a historic moment for the “Pamoja” (Together) bid. For the first time, three nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—will co-host the tournament, bringing the competition back to the CECAFA region for the first time in over 50 years. This transition also marks a major shift in the footballing calendar, as CAF has confirmed that the 2027 edition will be the last held in an odd-numbered year before moving to a quadrennial, even-numbered cycle starting in 2028.
Preparation for these fixtures is already underway, with massive infrastructure projects like the Talanta Sports Stadium in Nairobi and the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha set to become landmark venues. While Senegal enters the next cycle as defending champions, the automatic qualification of the three host nations ensures that East Africa will have its strongest representation in tournament history. Fans can expect a high-intensity qualification year in 2026, serving as the final bridge to a new era of African football.
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