The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is set to commence in Morocco on December 21, 2025, culminating in the final on January 18, 2026. This prestigious continental championship will feature 24 national teams competing for the title currently held by Ivory Coast, who claimed their third AFCON trophy by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 final.
In a significant development for the 2025 tournament, competing nations will be permitted to select expanded squads of up to 28 players, providing coaches with greater flexibility and depth throughout the competition. The official squad submission deadline is set for Thursday, December 11, with clubs mandated to release selected players by Monday, December 15.
Preliminary squad announcements reveal intriguing selections across participating nations. Angola’s provisional roster features European-based talents including Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo and Swansea City’s Manuel Benson. Benin’s preliminary selection includes Burnley’s Andreas Hountondji and Alanyaspor’s Steve Mounie among their attacking options.
Cameroon’s preliminary squad showcases significant firepower with Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, while the Democratic Republic of Congo’s selection includes West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Mozambique’s preliminary roster features Sporting Lisbon’s Geny Catamo and Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava, while South Africa’s squad includes Burnley’s Lyle Foster and Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell among their attacking contingent.
The tournament will feature traditional African football powerhouses including defending champions Ivory Coast, record seven-time winners Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Nigeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, and Zambia, all vying for continental supremacy in what promises to be a highly competitive edition of Africa’s most prestigious football competition.