Overview
- The finals run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 with matches staged in Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh and Fez.
- The January 27 draw in Rabat produced six groups of four, with the top two plus the three best third-placed teams advancing to a 16-team knockout phase.
- Hosts Morocco open against Comoros in Rabat on December 21, and the title match is scheduled for January 18 in the same city.
- Previews list Morocco among the leading contenders, though captain Achraf Hakimi could miss the start through an ankle injury reported after a match against Bayern Munich.
- Ivory Coast arrive as defending champions in a loaded Group F, as Cameroon contend with a fresh coaching change and notable omissions, and Nigeria navigate unrest following William Troost-Ekong’s retirement.