Overview
- Host Morocco faces Comoros in Rabat on December 21, with the final set for January 18 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
- Morocco enters as favorite after a sustained winning run but has only one AFCON title (1976), heightening pressure on Walid Regragui’s squad.
- Twenty‑four teams will play across nine new or refurbished stadiums in six cities including Rabat, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech and Fes.
- A FIFA club release date of December 15 left teams with minimal preparation time, drawing sharp criticism as AFCON shifted into the December–January window to ease calendar clashes.
- Key storylines feature Achraf Hakimi racing to recover from an ankle injury, Mohamed Salah seeking a first continental crown under increased scrutiny, and Ivory Coast defending its title under the 24‑team format where top twos and four best thirds reach the last 16.