Overview
- The Africa Cup of Nations group stage is complete and the last‑16 schedule is fixed for 3–6 January across Morocco, featuring ties such as Senegal vs. Sudan, Mali vs. Tunisia, Egypt vs. Benin, Nigeria vs. Mozambique, Algeria vs. DR Congo, South Africa vs. Cameroon, Morocco vs. Tanzania, and Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso.
- Hosts Morocco won Group A and will face Tanzania in Rabat after a 3-0 win over Zambia that included Ayoub El Kaabi’s bicycle‑kick goal validated by VAR.
- Tanzania reached the AFCON knockouts for the first time under Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi, progressing as a best third‑placed team despite no wins in the group stage.
- Algeria swept Group E and will meet DR Congo in Rabat, while Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect record to set up a clash with Mozambique in Fez.
- Argentina’s 2026 slate is set with the Finalissima vs. Spain on 27 March at Lusail and World Cup Group J games against Algeria in Kansas City plus Austria and Jordan in Dallas, as a separate court‑ordered probe authorized raids at AFA sites in a Sur Finanzas case.