AFCON 2025 Preview

20th December 2025

Few international tournaments blend passion in the stands, unpredictability on the pitch, and pure footballing drama quite like the Africa Cup of Nations. No team has retained the trophy since Egypt’s three-title run ended in 2010, and recent champions have repeatedly failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage. At AFCON, defending champions Ivory Coast will be aiming to become the first side since the Pharaohs to successfully defend the title — a task that history suggests is anything but straightforward.

Host nation Morocco enter the tournament as clear favourites following their impressive run at the Qatar World Cup, while continued success at youth level underlines the strength of the wider project after lifting the U20 World Cup earlier this year. 

UK-based viewers will be able to follow full coverage of the tournament on Channel 4, with the competition getting underway on Sunday evening (7pm UK time) as hosts Morocco face Comoros in the opening match.

This Statz AFCON 2025 preview will outline the main contenders, highlight key group-stage storylines, and identify where value may lie in the betting markets.

Tournament Format

The structure remains unchanged from recent editions: 24 teams split into six groups of four. The top two in each group qualify automatically for the knockout stage, joined by the four best third-placed teams to complete a round of 16.

Hosts Morocco can expect strong backing throughout, with stadiums selling out within an hour. While conditions may favour North African sides, the cooler temperatures in Morocco could also lead to more open football than is often associated with AFCON. Historically, group-stage matches have been tight — more than 60% of games across the last 13 editions have finished under 2.5 goals — but this tournament may offer a slight shift in that trend.

Pitch quality is also expected to be a step up, with Morocco keen to use AFCON 2025 as a showcase event as they continue to position themselves for a future FIFA World Cup bid.

AFCON 2025 Preview: The Main Contenders

As hosts, Morocco will have to cope with the pressure of being tournament favourites (9/4, Bet365). Even without home advantage, they may well have headed the market anyway. African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi is returning from his ankle injury, while Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz adds further quality to a squad already comfortable on the biggest stage.

North African rivals Egypt are second favourites at 6/1. Led by Mohamed Salah, still without an AFCON title, Egypt’s blend of pragmatism and star quality — including Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush — could see them go deep into the tournament. Algeria follow closely at 13/2 and arrive well-coached under Vladimir Petković, with proven star power in Riyad Mahrez, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Bayer Leverkusen’s emerging talent Ibrahim Maza.

West Africa interrupts the North African dominance in the betting markets through Senegal, also priced at 6/1. Senegal boasts a core of European-based talent including Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye, alongside national icon Sadio Mané. That attacking trio alone is enough to make them feared opponents. Their form is very good as well, topping their World Cup Qualification group without losing a game.

All of these teams should make it through the group stages. For those looking further down the market, South Africa appeal as an outside option at 40/1. They arrive in strong form, unbeaten in ten matches. Although, their last defeat came against Angola — who they face again in the opening group game — before a difficult follow-up clash with Egypt that will quickly test their credentials.

Group Stage Storylines to Watch

AFCON has a long history of early shocks, none more telling than Algeria failing to progress from the groups at the last two tournaments in 2021 and 2023, despite arriving with one of the strongest squads on the continent.

There is often plenty unfolding off the pitch as well. Chaotic scenes surrounded Cameroon in the build-up, with the Indomitable Lions initially announcing two separate squads before eventually excluding André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar. That disruption only adds intrigue to what could be the most entertaining group at the tournament.

Group F features Gabon, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a doubt for the opening clash against Cameroon, alongside defending champions Ivory Coast and an unpredictable Mozambique. On paper, it looks finely balanced and primed for drama.

Third-place qualification adds another layer of intrigue but also pressure. Expect cautious openers, followed by increasingly tense final group matches where goal difference, discipline, and late drama often decide who moves on.

A group-winners four-fold on Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria and Morocco at just over 4/1 (Bet365) could offer value if the tournament favourites start as expected. 

Players to Watch

AFCON this year features a strong mix of elite talent and emerging threats. The two favourites for the top scorer award, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, need no introduction and are both priced at 6/1 (Bet365). However, the last tournament’s Golden Boot was won by Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, a reminder that value can often be found away from the front of the market.Given Morocco’s status as tournament favourites, Brahim Díaz appeals at 14/1, boasting an international scoring rate of better than a goal every two games since switching allegiance to the Atlas Lions. Ademola Lookman is priced the same, although Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup raises some concerns. Further down the market, bigger prices on Nicolas Jackson (16/1) and Omar Marmoush (20/1) could also be worth a speculative interest.