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AFCON 2025: 30 Teams Set for Qualification, 24 Finalists Await in Morocco

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 6:24 GMT by Sporting News

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AFCON 2025: A Complete Snapshot of the 30 Teams in the Qualification Phase

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is fast approaching, and CAF’s recent press release, echoed by the Sporting News article “Afcon 2025 teams playing list: Africa Cup of Nations,” gives fans a clear picture of the national sides that have registered to fight for a place in the continent’s biggest football spectacle. While only 24 teams will eventually line up in the final tournament in Morocco, the article details the 30 national associations that are presently competing in the qualification stage—a crucial step that will determine the last six spots.

The Big Picture: 24 Teams, 30 Contenders

CAF’s 2025 edition follows the same 24‑team format introduced in 2013 and expanded again in 2015. Six groups of four teams each will battle it out in the group stage, after which the best teams from each group and the four best runners‑up will advance to the knockout rounds. The 2025 edition will be the first time Morocco hosts the Cup, with matches slated to run from 20 January to 17 February 2025 across the country’s major cities and stadiums.

The Sporting News write‑up lists every national side that has entered the qualification draw. These 30 teams include the host Morocco, the defending champions Senegal (who will also automatically qualify as the reigning champions, although CAF still includes them in the draw for competitive balance), and 28 other members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The full roster is:

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Benin
4. Burkina Faso
5. Cameroon
6. Cape Verde
7. Central African Republic
8. Congo
9. Democratic Republic of the Congo
10. Egypt
11. Equatorial Guinea
12. Ethiopia
13. Ghana
14. Guinea
15. Guinea‑Bissau
16. Ivory Coast
17. Kenya
18. Liberia
19. Mali
20. Morocco (host)
21. Nigeria
22. Rwanda
23. Senegal (defending champions)
24. South Africa
25. Sudan
26. Tanzania
27. Tunisia
28. Uganda
29. Zambia
30. Zimbabwe

While the article gives no further ranking or seeding details for each side, it does link to CAF’s official ranking list, allowing fans to see where each team stands relative to its continental peers. The ranking system, updated after every major tournament and qualification cycle, influences the draw order and, in some cases, the seeding of teams in the group stage.

How the Qualification Works

The Sporting News piece explains that the qualification process will unfold in two phases. The first round—held in March–April 2024—will see the 30 teams divided into 10 groups. Each group plays a home‑and‑away round robin; the top team from each group automatically qualifies for the 2025 AFCON, while the four best runners‑up across all groups also earn a spot.

Because Morocco already qualifies as host and Senegal as title‑holder, the actual qualification spots available to the 28 remaining teams are 22. Those who finish at the top of their groups and the best four runners‑up will fill those slots. The Sporting News article clarifies that the draw for the qualification groups will be conducted in December 2023 at CAF’s headquarters in Cairo, and the matches will kick off the following month.

The article also notes that CAF will employ a “clean‑sheet” approach in the final tournament. Once the 24 teams are set, the group stage will be a single round robin where each team plays the others in its group once. Points will decide who progresses to the knockout rounds, and if a tie persists, the next tiebreaker will be goal difference, followed by goals scored, and eventually a fair‑play ranking before resorting to a drawing of lots.

Contextual Highlights

While the Sporting News piece mainly serves as a quick reference, the linked content provides a richer backdrop:

• Historical Significance: Morocco will host its first AFCON in 2025, after having hosted other major tournaments such as the 2008 FIFA U‑17 and 2013 FIFA U‑17 World Cups. The country’s modern stadiums—like the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat and the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Rabat—will provide a high‑standard environment for the 24‑team tournament.

• CAF’s Expansion Strategy: The 24‑team format was a major change aimed at increasing competitiveness and commercial appeal. The Sporting News article acknowledges that the new format has been praised for giving more nations a realistic chance to compete while preserving the elite level of play that AFCON is known for.

• Political & Social Implications: The article subtly references how the tournament is a unifying event for Africa, celebrating diverse cultures through sport. The CAF ranking and qualification process are highlighted as tools that keep the competition merit‑based and politically neutral.

The Road Ahead

For fans, the Sporting News piece is a handy cheat‑sheet: a clear list of 30 teams, an outline of the qualification process, and a link to CAF’s ranking. It leaves readers with the anticipation of watching 10 groups battle it out over the next year, knowing that every win could be a step toward a historic moment in Morocco.

Whether you’re a die‑hard African football fan or a casual observer, the 2025 AFCON promises drama, talent, and a showcase of the best the continent has to offer. The journey from the first group matches in March 2024 to the final whistle on 17 February 2025 will be an exciting narrative that’s already unfolding—thanks in part to the detailed information shared by Sporting News and CAF alike.