AFCON: How to watch Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, and Hibs stars at the African Cup of Nations - and when it starts
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming African Cup of Nations 2025.
The latest edition of the African Cup of Nations - aka AFCON - is now just days away from beginning, with one of the world’s most prestigious international tournaments set to get underway later this week.
The first time the tournament has taken place over the Christmas period, the Ivory Coast will hope to claim their third tournament victory, having won the competition in 2015 and 2023. However, Morocco enters as the bookies’ favourites, alongside Egypt, Senegal, and Algeria.
Originally intended to take place during the summer to avoid club conflicts, the expansion and rescheduling of the FIFA Club World Cup resulted in the AFCON being placed into a festive time slot, with games being played between December and January.
Want to ensure you know everything about the tournament ahead of it starting? Here’s everything you need to know about the AFCON 2025:
When does the African Cup of Nations start?
The African Cup of Nations will begin on Sunday, 21 December 2025, and ends on Sunday 18 January 2026.
Where is the AFCON being held?
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) originally awarded the tournament to Guinea. However, the West African nation was stripped of the right to host the AFCON back in September 2022, with President Patrice Motsep saying: "CAF is going to ask to receive new bids because the infrastructure and facilities are not appropriate or ready for CAF to host the 2025 Nations Cup in Guinea."
The tournament will now be hosted in Morocco, with nine stadiums set to be used across six different cities - Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Tangier, and Rabat have been chosen as the host cities. The final will take place on Sunday, 18 January 2026. Both the tournament’s opening game and the final will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
How often is AFCON?
The African Cup of Nations is played held every two years. First beginning in 1968, it switched to odd-numbered years in 2013.
How can I watch the AFCON in the UK?
Fans hoping to watch the tournament over the festive season will be able to watch the tournament free-to-air in the United Kingdom, with all matches scheduled to be shown live across Channel 4's network. Matches will be aired via Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Streaming and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
AFCON Groups 2025
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
Who should Scotland support at AFCON?
With players from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, Dunfermline Athletic, and Motherwell all heading to the tournament, some fans are likely to choose whichever country their players are representing. However, if you are struggling to find a nation to back at the tournament, Scotland fans should look no further than Zimbabwe, with two of their key players - Godknows Murwira and Knowledge Musona - both representing Scottland FC at club level.
The club, which won the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title last month, is owned by Scott Sakupwanya, a businessman and Member of Parliament, who founded the club in 2023 in Mabvuku, Harare. The name choice, which originally sparked debate due to potential confusion with the Scotland national team, symbolizes the owner's local pride and global aspirations for the club. But surely Scottland FC is a side you’d back if you’re of Tartan Army persuasion?
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