The stage is set, the draw has been made, and the countdown has begun. As Africa gears up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has made a bold proclamation—this will be the most competitive tournament in the history of the competition.

Speaking in Morocco following the group stage draw, Motsepe reflected on the success of the 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, widely hailed as one of the greatest AFCON tournaments ever. Yet, he believes the upcoming edition will be even better.

“This is going to be an exciting competition,” Motsepe declared. “The first words we said in Ivory Coast were that that competition was going to be the most successful. I want to say it again, all of us are confident. The Total Energies AFCON in Morocco this year in December is going to be the most successful, the most competitive, the most exciting in the history of this competition.”

With matches set to take place in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier across nine world-class stadiums, the tournament promises to deliver unforgettable moments.

Scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the continent’s finest teams will battle for supremacy, with the world watching as African football reaches new heights. Will Morocco 2025 live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Africa is ready for another footballing spectacle.