The Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, will host the much-anticipated Final Draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 tonight at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT). This event will determine the group stage opponents for 24 African nations competing for the continent’s most prestigious football title.
The draw is a significant milestone, symbolizing the official countdown to Africa’s premier football tournament, which runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Fans, players, and coaches are eagerly awaiting the results as excitement builds across the continent.
The teams and their pots
The 24 teams are divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings, ensuring a balanced competition:
Pot 1: Morocco (hosts), Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions)
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
Morocco, hosting the tournament for the first time since 1988, automatically occupies position A1. The draw will place teams into six groups of four, with the top two from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage.
Favourites and underdogs
Morocco, buoyed by their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal run, is among the favourites, alongside defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, winners in 2021. However, underdogs like Botswana and Comoros aim to create upsets, adding unpredictability to the competition.
Star-studded event
The Mohammed V National Theatre, a symbol of Morocco’s cultural heritage, will host the event, which features performances by international artists RedOne and Gims. African football legends Essam El Hadary, Patrick Mboma, and Mustapha Hadji will also grace the ceremony.
Broadcast live to over 90 countries, the AFCON 2025 Final Draw showcases the unity and passion of African football. As the continent awaits the draw, the stage is set for a tournament filled with talent, resilience, and unforgettable moments.
