chargement...
Morocco is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six cities. As the date of this grand continental football event approaches, fans are rushing to buy tickets and plan their trips, while organizers have already begun the countdown to a tournament that promises to be as festive as it is unprecedented in every respect.
In this context, the host country is drawing on its experience in organizing major regional and international events, aiming to make AFCON 2025 a prelude to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain. From an organizational and logistical standpoint, the history of the African tournament shows that the Kingdom has long stood out for its expertise, an asset that contributed to the success of its first hosted edition in 1988.
Morocco hosted AFCON after two withdrawals
At that time, the Africa Cup of Nations was not awarded to Morocco following a formal bid process, as is the case with major global tournaments. Instead, Morocco hosted the 1988 AFCON to ensure the competition could go ahead after two previous hosts withdrew.
Initially awarded to Zambia, the tournament was supposed to take place in Southern Africa two years after the 1986 edition in Egypt. However, Zambia pulled out for financial reasons, prompting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to look north. In 1987, CAF approached Algeria, but the offer came with one condition: the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) had to resolve its dispute stemming from the All-Africa Games.
Those games had been overshadowed by controversy over a match between Algeria and Tunisia, during which Tunisia filed an appeal claiming that two Algerian players were ineligible for the first leg. CAF ordered the match to be replayed, a decision that Algeria refused to accept. In protest, Algeria withdrew from the 1987 African Games in Kenya.
As a result, CAF reconsidered its options. It also reached out to Morocco, which confirmed its readiness to step in. Ultimately, CAF awarded the 1988 AFCON to the Kingdom, bypassing Algeria and entrusting Morocco with hosting the event on short notice.
Since then, the FAF has repeatedly expressed its ambition to host the tournament, sometimes amplifying its rivalry with Morocco, particularly during the bidding process for AFCON 2025.
From 8 African teams to 24
According to CAF, the 1988 edition marked «a significant moment in the history of AFCON», highlighting Morocco’s «rich football culture and ability to organize such a prestigious continental event». The confederation noted that, by the late 1980s, the Kingdom had already proven itself «a strong contender to host AFCON», thanks to its football-loving population, growing infrastructure, and strategic position in North Africa. CAF further commended Morocco’s «commitment to developing football and orchestrating an event capable of captivating fans across the continent».
The 1988 AFCON, held from March 13 to 27, featured eight teams divided into two groups of four, with matches taking place at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Now, with even greater ambitions, Morocco will host 24 national teams for AFCON 2025, a format divided into six groups of four. Matches will be played across six host cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir.
Games will be held in nine stadiums, upgraded to meet CAF and FIFA standards, as part of Morocco’s broader preparations not only for AFCON 2025 but also for the 2030 World Cup. These upgrades reflect a major investment in human, financial, and logistical resources.
Beyond the extensive organizational and infrastructure efforts, this tournament carries symbolic importance for Moroccan football. Having won the title only once, in 1976, and finishing as runner-up in 2004, Morocco is determined to shine again after its early elimination in the 2023 AFCON. Backed by its passionate fans and buoyed by its 2022 World Cup semi-final run in Qatar, the national team hopes to make a triumphant return on home soil, against fierce continental competition.
