Overview
- The 24-team competition runs December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, with the opener and final at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
- CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the switch to a quadrennial AFCON, with 2027 proceeding as planned, the next edition moved up to 2028, and the following set for 2032.
- Motsepe also announced an African Nations League targeted for 2029 involving all 54 members, with games in September and October and finals in November, and FIFA pledging calendar coordination.
- FIFA’s December 15 release date has thinned squads across Europe, with about 51 call-ups from Ligue 1, 33 from the Premier League and 16 from LaLiga, including Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz and Rayo Vallecano’s Pathé Ciss and Randy Nteka.
- Claro Sports will stream selected group matches and all knockout rounds in most of Latin America except Colombia, and Liverpool’s Arne Slot said the club will overcome Mohamed Salah’s AFCON absence.