AFCON
Morocco readies for CAF AFCON return after 36-year hiatus
As the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 approaches, the North African nation is gearing up to host the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history.
Morocco’s previous hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) dates back to 1988, a 36-year gap that has seen significant developments in the country’s footballing infrastructure and global standing.
The 1988 tournament, won by Cameroon, featured just eight teams. In contrast, the 2025 edition will welcome 24 nations, reflecting the growth of African football and presenting a greater logistical challenge for the hosts.
But North African nation’s recent experience in hosting major football events stands it in good stead, solidifying its reputation as a premier host for major football events.
The country successfully hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), an exclusive tournament for players active in their national leagues. The triumph in this tournament highlighted both their on-field prowess and their capacity to host major events.
It also staged the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which saw record-breaking attendances and was widely praised for its organisation.
In February 2023, Morocco hosted the FIFA Club World Cup, further cementing its reputation as a reliable venue for international football competitions.
The tournament’s success, coupled with Morocco’s historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has fuelled football fever in the country.
Key cities tipped by many to host matches in 2025 include Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier. The iconic Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, which hosted the 1988 final, is tipped my many to play a central role once again.
The state-of-the-art facilities, coupled with Morocco’s robust infrastructure, ensure that the tournament will be held to the highest standards.
Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025 will further establish the country as a footballing powerhouse both on and off the pitch. The nation’s successful bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, jointly with Spain and Portugal, further underlines these ambitions.
As the qualifiers draw approaches, excitement is building not just for the tournament itself, but for what it represents: Morocco’s return to the AFCON hosting stage.
With state-of-the-art stadiums, a football-mad population, and recent experience in hosting major tournaments, Morocco is poised to deliver an AFCON that could set new standards for the competition.
The upcoming draw, set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, 04 July 2024, will see 48 nations divided into 12 groups, setting the stage for the qualifiers.
With teams like reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire, and African giants Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal, Algeria in the mix, the competition promises to be fierce.
As 48 nations await their fate in the qualifying draw, the journey to Morocco 2025 is about to begin, promising another thrilling chapter in African football history.
-CAF
Ticket sales for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will officially open on Monday, 13 October 2025, with an exclusive 48-hour pre-sale window reserved for Visa cardholders, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced.
Fans across Africa and around the world will be able to secure their seats for what promises to be the continent’s biggest football spectacle, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The special Visa pre-sale period will run from Monday, 13 October at 09:00 Moroccan time (08:00 GMT) until Wednesday, 15 October at 08:00 GMT, before general ticket sales open to all fans using other payment methods.
To streamline ticket purchases and enhance security, the Local Organizing Committee has launched the YALLA App, an integrated digital platform for fans to obtain their Fan ID — a mandatory requirement for buying tickets — and apply for E-Visas (AEVM) where necessary.
According to organizers, each registered Fan ID allows supporters to buy only one ticket per match, ensuring wider access and transparency in ticket distribution.
The process for obtaining tickets is straightforward:
- Download the YALLA App, available on Google Play and the App Store.
- Apply for a Fan ID and E-Visa (if required) through the app.
- Once approved, Visa cardholders can visit tickets.cafonline.com starting from Monday, 13 October at 09:00 Moroccan time (08:00 GMT) to purchase their AFCON 2025 tickets.
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is expected to deliver a festival of football and culture, with fans urged to complete their Fan ID registration early to avoid last-minute rushes.
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Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Coach Augustine Eguavoen, has strongly condemned media reports suggesting that he is being considered to take over as Super Eagles Head Coach ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should current handler Eric Chelle fail to secure qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Wednesday, the former Super Eagles captain described the reports as false, misleading, and damaging, insisting that he maintains a cordial and professional relationship with Coach Chelle.
“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from,” Eguavoen said. “I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad. I am praying for him to succeed.”
Eguavoen, who has previously served as interim head coach of the national team, expressed frustration that such speculation was resurfacing, warning that it could undermine team unity ahead of major assignments.
“This was how the same speculators created schism and disaffection between myself and Gernot Rohr, and later José Peseiro, when they coached the Super Eagles at different periods,” he recalled. “It is uncalled-for. We all need to work together to see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.”
The NFF Technical Director reiterated his commitment to supporting the technical crew and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that will enable Nigeria’s senior team to achieve its set goals.
“Our collective focus should be on progress, not distractions,” he added. “Everyone in the system is working towards one goal — success for Nigeria.”
The Super Eagles are currently deep in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, while their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign resumes later this year.
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AFCON
Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.
Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.
Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.
CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Training and skill development.
- Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.
Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.
CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.
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