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AFCON 2025: Which African Nations Have Qualified?

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, January 2nd 2026 at 14:20 GMT by Sporting News

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The Road to 2025: Which African Nations Have Qualified for AFCON?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) promises to be a significant milestone – it’s the first edition to feature an expanded format, boasting 24 teams compared to the previous 16. This expansion, driven by CAF's (Confederation of African Football) ambition to broaden participation and foster growth across the continent, has made qualification more competitive than ever before. As of late November 2023, a significant number of nations have already secured their berths for the tournament, set to be hosted in Morocco. Let’s break down who’s in, how they got there, and what remains at stake.

A New Qualification Format & Increased Opportunities

The shift to an expanded AFCON necessitated a revamped qualification process. Previously, nations were grouped and played home-and-away matches within their group. The top teams advanced directly. Now, the format involves six groups of four teams each. Each team plays every other team in its group twice – once at home and once away – for a total of six matches per side. The winners of each group automatically qualify for AFCON 2025. However, there's an added layer: the best four second-placed teams also secure qualification spots. This means that even if a team doesn’t win its group, strong performances can still lead to a place in the finals.

Confirmed Participants – A Continent Represented

As of November 2023, twelve nations have officially secured their places at AFCON 2025:

• Algeria: The defending champions (although they failed to qualify for the 2024 edition) have rebounded strongly and are comfortably leading their group.
• Angola: A strong performance in their group has seen them secure qualification, demonstrating consistent form.
• Burkina Faso: A surprise package in recent years, Burkina Faso continues to impress with their competitive squad and tactical prowess.
• Cape Verde: The Blue Sharks have consistently punched above their weight in African football and are once again among the qualifiers.
• Côte d’Ivoire: As hosts of the 2024 AFCON, Côte d'Ivoire automatically qualified, but they also performed well in qualification games to show their strength.
• Egypt: Despite a recent dip in form on the international stage, Egypt, historically one of Africa’s footballing giants, have secured their spot.
• Gabon: A return to prominence for Gabon, demonstrating an improvement in their national team's performance.
• Guinea: Guinea has navigated its group effectively and is looking forward to competing in Morocco.
• Mali: A consistently competitive side, Mali’s qualification was expected but still represents a significant achievement.
• Morocco: As hosts, Morocco automatically qualified and will be aiming for a strong showing on home soil.
• Namibia: A welcome return to the AFCON stage for Namibia after a long absence; their qualification is a testament to their development program.
• South Africa: Under new leadership, South Africa has shown renewed vigor and secured their place in the finals.

The Battle for Second Place – Who's on the Bubble?

The race for those crucial four second-placed spots is heating up. Several teams are locked in tight battles within their groups, with each match carrying significant weight. Key contenders currently include:

• Nigeria: Despite being a powerhouse of African football, Nigeria faces challenges and needs to secure enough points to ensure they finish among the top four second-place teams.
• Senegal: The 2021 champions are in a competitive group and need to maintain their form to qualify via the second-placed spot route.
• Tanzania: A potential dark horse, Tanzania is showing promise and could sneak into the finals as one of the best runners-up.
• Mozambique: Another team vying for a spot among the best second-place finishers, Mozambique’s qualification would be a significant achievement.

The Sporting News article highlights that tiebreakers will play a crucial role in determining who makes it through. These include head-to-head results between teams tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored. This means even seemingly insignificant matches can have huge ramifications for these contenders.

What's Next? The Final Matchday & Beyond

The final matchday of the qualification process is scheduled for November 2023. The outcomes of these remaining games will determine the final list of qualified teams and solidify the group standings. CAF officials are carefully monitoring the results, as the expanded format creates unique challenges in determining those coveted second-place spots.

Significance of the Expansion & Looking Ahead

The expansion of AFCON is more than just an increase in the number of participating teams; it represents a broader strategy to elevate football across Africa. It provides opportunities for smaller nations to experience international competition and fosters development at all levels. With increased participation comes greater exposure, which can attract investment and inspire future generations of African footballers.

AFCON 2025 promises to be an exciting event, showcasing the growing talent and competitiveness within African football. The qualification process has been intense and captivating, demonstrating the passion and determination that defines the beautiful game on the continent. The final matches will undoubtedly bring drama and suspense as nations vie for a coveted spot in Morocco's showcase of African footballing prowess.

I hope this article provides a comprehensive summary and context to the information presented in the original Sporting News piece!