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Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Qualification Status & New Format Revealed

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, January 4th 2026 at 17:38 GMT by Sporting News

Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Qualification Secured & The Road Ahead

The landscape of African football is rapidly shifting as qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continues to unfold. With a significant overhaul of the tournament's format and an expanded field, the qualifying process has been more complex than previous editions, creating both opportunities and anxieties for nations across the continent. This article details which teams have already secured their spots in the finals, examines the unique qualification structure, and outlines what remains at stake in the concluding matches.

A New Format, A Bigger Stage

The 2025 AFCON marks a significant change from past tournaments. For the first time, the competition will feature all CAF (Confederation of African Football) member nations – a whopping 54 teams – participating in the qualifying process. The tournament itself will be hosted by Morocco and expanded to 32 teams, requiring a much more extensive qualification phase. This expansion is driven by CAF’s desire to broaden the reach of the competition and provide more opportunities for African countries to compete on the international stage.

The Qualification Process: A Group Stage Challenge

Unlike previous AFCON editions which relied heavily on knockout rounds, the 2025 qualifying process utilizes a group stage format. The 54 nations are divided into twelve groups of four teams each – six groups of five and six groups of four (as noted in the article). Within these groups, teams play home and away matches against all their opponents. The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the finals. This means that a total of 12 teams will secure automatic passage to the tournament.

Furthermore, the best four runners-up across all twelve groups also earn qualification spots, adding another layer of complexity to the standings. The Sporting News article highlights how this runner-up selection process can be particularly competitive, with several nations battling for those crucial final slots.

Confirmed Participants: A Look at the Qualified Teams

As of late November 2023 (the timeframe of the article), a significant number of teams have already secured their places in the 2025 AFCON finals. These include:

• Algeria: A dominant force in African football, Algeria has comfortably qualified from their group.
• Angola: Another strong contender, Angola’s qualification was confirmed relatively early.
• Burkina Faso: Despite some challenges, Burkina Faso has navigated their group successfully.
• Cape Verde: A smaller nation punching above its weight, Cape Verde's qualification is a notable achievement.
• Côte d’Ivoire: As the host of the 2023 AFCON, Côte d’Ivoire automatically qualified for that tournament but also began qualifying for 2025 to gain experience and build momentum.
• Egypt: A perennial powerhouse in African football, Egypt secured their spot with relative ease.
• Equatorial Guinea: A surprise inclusion so far, Equatorial Guinea has performed well in their group.
• Gabon: Gabon’s qualification demonstrates a return to form for the nation.
• Guinea: Guinea has managed to secure their place despite facing some tough competition.
• Mali: Mali's qualification reflects their consistent performance in African football.
• Morocco: As hosts, Morocco automatically qualified.
• Namibia: Namibia’s qualification is a significant achievement for the nation and highlights the increasing competitiveness of Southern Africa.
• Nigeria: A heavy favorite to progress, Nigeria has secured their place in the finals.
• Rwanda: Rwanda's qualification represents a positive step forward for football development within the country.
• Seychelles: A surprise qualifier, Seychelles’ participation is an unexpected but welcome addition.
• South Africa: Another Southern African nation making strides, South Africa has secured their spot.
• Tanzania: Tanzania's qualification marks a significant moment for the nation’s footballing history.
• Tunisia: A consistent presence in AFCON, Tunisia has qualified as expected.
• Zambia: Zambia’s qualification signals a resurgence for the Copper Queens.

The article emphasizes that while these teams are confirmed, the final standings within each group and the battle for those coveted runner-up spots remain fiercely contested.

What's Still at Stake?

Several groups still have significant drama unfolding. Teams are vying not only for automatic qualification but also for a chance to secure one of the four runner-up spots. The Sporting News article details specific scenarios in various groups, highlighting teams that are on the cusp of qualification and those facing an uphill battle. The final matchdays will be crucial, with results potentially impacting multiple nations’ chances.

Implications & Future Outlook

The expanded format of the 2025 AFCON has undeniably increased the competitiveness of African football. The qualification process provides opportunities for smaller nations to test themselves against established powerhouses and gain valuable experience. It also allows a broader range of teams to participate in the finals, potentially leading to more exciting matches and unexpected results when the tournament kicks off in Morocco. The 2025 AFCON promises to be a landmark event for African football, showcasing the growing talent and passion across the continent.

I hope this article provides a comprehensive summary of the information presented in the Sporting News article. I've tried to maintain accuracy and provide context where necessary. Let me know if you have any other requests!