AFCON 2025: Exceptional pre match rituals to be offered by host
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All original articlesThe entire planet has its eyes riveted on Morocco, host country of AFCON 2025 from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations begins this Sunday with the opening match between Morocco and Comoros (19h GMT). Colossal investments, world class infrastructures, cutting edge technology, an array of continental stars... in short, let’s wait for what promises to be the edition of all records.
Rarely has Africa supplanted the rest of the world so much in the field of sport. While the great championships experience the tantalizing end-of-year days, it’s the Africa Cup of Nations that is on everyone’s lips on the old continent. As much for the controversies around the prejudice for European clubs due to the massive departures for a whole month of the best African players, as much for the interest that the tournament attracts around the world.
A top drawer organization
Morocco has pulled out all the stops with a colossal investment for this 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Cherifian kingdom is about to launch with great fanfare "the best AFCON ever organized". Such were the words of Véron Mosengo-Omba. For the secretary general of the African Football Confederation, "the indicators are there." The CAF and the local organising committee announced more than a week ago that over one million tickets had already been sold. A record unmatched in the recent history of the games. All the pool matches in Morocco are sold-out even before the competition starts today.
Morocco clearly intends to put the whole world in full view at just over 4 years to the 2030 World Cup that it is co-organizing with Spain and Portugal. To this end, 9 breathtaking stadiums are planned, including 4 in Rabat, one in Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Agadir and Tangier. Security will be extremely taken into account. No less than 6,000 cameras supplant the various sites frequented by fans and actors during this event. Record coverage with over 3800 accredited media, 30 European countries covering the tournament in addition to 54 African nations.
Logistics is a challenge that Morocco intends to take up with new stations inaugurated, airports rehabilitated to ensure the mobility of hundreds of thousands of supporters. For housing, Morocco is a global reference in terms of receptives. In addition to an African champion title on the game, a jackpot of 10 million dollars is at stake for the winner against 7 million for the edition in Ivory Coast. CAF announces a jackpot of 32 million for the total prize money of this 35th edition. That is an increase of 43% compared to AFCON 2023.
Morocco, Senegal, Algeria as favorites, South Africa as outsiders...
The turf also promises sparks for this edition. Mohamed Salah 4th of the Ballon d'Or, Sadio Mané, 2nd in 2022, Victor Oshimen, African Player of the Year in 2023, Achraf Hakimi, African Player of the Year 2025... A plethora of stars is expected on the Moroccan lawns. Glitter and confetti are out. Except for Ghana, almost all the great nations of African football are at the meeting of the continental football high mass. Seven (7) of the 9 globalists, plus the DRC qualified for intercontinental dams, are present in Morocco. One this is thus guaranteed... exceptional and electrifying football will be on showcase in this edition.