The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 kicked off yesterday, 21 December 2025, in Morocco, marking the first time the tournament has been held in December instead of the usual January-February slot.
Originally planned as a mid-year event, the summer schedule was designed to reduce clashes with European club competitions and to showcase Morocco’s tourism ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
However, the tournament was moved to December to accommodate FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, now staged in summer, and to avoid overlapping with the Champions League and Europa League, which restart in late January.
Matches are taking place across Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez, with no games scheduled on 25 December. Players were released from their clubs on 15 December, giving national teams just over a week to prepare — a situation that has drawn criticism from coaches.
Angola’s coach, Patrice Beaumelle, described the preparation period as “nonsense,” adding, “You can’t prepare a serious team in just two or three sessions.”
In recent years, Afcon has typically been held in January and February, with the last summer edition staged in Egypt in 2019. The 2025 December shift is unprecedented, and teams are racing against time to adapt ahead of what promises to be a competitive tournament.
For fans, this means a packed month of high-stakes matches across Morocco, building up to the final on 18 January 2026.
Why is Afcon traditionally held in winter?
Afcon is normally staged in January and February due to the variable African climate. Summer months in many nations can bring heavy rains and extreme heat, affecting playing conditions and pitches.
Winter offers drier weather and stable temperatures, providing ideal conditions for players and fans alike. It also avoids clashes with other international football tournaments that typically take place in the summer.
However, this timing creates tension with European clubs, which must release players mid-season, often affecting team preparations.
The 2023 edition, held in the Ivory Coast, was originally scheduled for summer 2022 but was postponed due to weather considerations, highlighting the importance of seasonal timing.
Why has Afcon been staged every two years?
Afcon has traditionally been held biannually. When the tournament began in 1957, African nations were not guaranteed a place at the World Cup. Over time, African participation in global tournaments has increased, and Afcon has provided a consistent platform for competition and revenue generation, boosting tourism and player exposure.
However, starting in 2028, Afcon will shift to a four-year cycle. The decision, announced on 20 December 2025 by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, aligns the tournament with other international competitions and reduces scheduling conflicts.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously proposed streamlining Afcon to take place between September and November, ensuring a more predictable calendar while maintaining opportunities for teams to compete at the continental level.