For the first time in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) history, all 24 participating teams have their own dedicated base camps, a move aimed at improving player comfort, preparation, and focus.
From five-star hotels to world-class training facilities, every nation will enjoy top-class amenities to ensure peak performance on Africa’s biggest stage. Host nation Morocco is leading the way, showcasing state-of-the-art facilities and hospitality across the country.
Africa’s top footballers are heading to Morocco as AFCON 2025 becomes the first edition staged across Christmas and New Year.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December, with Morocco facing Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium at 19:00 GMT. The hosts, ranked 11th in the world, are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 1976. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will again chase his maiden AFCON title after finishing runner-up in 2017 and 2021.
Team Bases by City
Rabat: Morocco (Mohammed VI Football Complex), Tunisia (The View), Uganda (Le Caroussel), Tanzania (Fairmont), DR Congo (Conrad Arzana), Benin (Tour Hassan), Botswana (Dawliz), Algeria (Rabat Marriott)
Casablanca: Mali (Barcelo Anfa), Zambia (Sofitel T. Blanche), Comoros (Radisson Blu), Burkina Faso (Le Casablanca), Equatorial Guinea (Casa Marriott), Sudan (Marriott Courtyard)
Agadir / Taghazout: Egypt (Fairmont Taghazout Bay), Cameroon (Hyatt Regency Taghazout), Gabon (Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay), Mozambique (Hilton TGH Bay)
Marrakech: South Africa (Four Seasons), Angola (Fairmont), Zimbabwe (Sofitel), Côte d’Ivoire (Hyatt Park)
Fes: Nigeria (Saharai)
Tangier: Senegal (Fairmont)
Photo Credit: CAF
Morocco’s investment in top-tier organisational strategies is an ambitious step towards co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
The six host cities chosen for this international spectacle—Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fès, and Tangier have been selected not only for their stadiums but also for their robust infrastructure, which will further spotlight Morocco’s capacity to host major sporting events.
CAF and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have officially set December 16 as the opening date for team camps. The announcement outlines the logistical framework that all participating teams must adhere to in preparation for one of Africa’s premier football tournaments.
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In a formal statement, they clarified that any national team arriving in Morocco before the official camp opening date will be responsible for their own accommodation and logistical arrangements. This rule is particularly relevant for teams like Uganda, which have opted to arrive early.
Groups Set for AFCON 2025
Twenty-four teams are split into six groups of four. The top two in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will progress to the last 16.
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: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Key fixtures include holders Ivory Coast against Cameroon in Group F, and Senegal taking on DR Congo in Group D. Group C features an all-East African clash between Uganda and Tanzania, alongside heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia.
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The group phase runs from 21–31 December, setting the stage for a festive showdown in Moroccan stadiums.
