Africa’s Football Calendar 2025: Excitement, Tournaments, Records and Dreams of Glory
2025 promises an electrifying showcase of African talent, with continental championships, youth tournaments, and FIFA events defining the football landscape.
As Africa takes centre stage, fans can anticipate intense rivalries, rising stars, and historic milestones. Get your calendars ready as we explore the key events shaping the year!
1. AFCON 2025 – Morocco’s Grand Stage
Dates: 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026
Host Nation: Morocco
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will close the year with a Christmas-to-New-Year football extravaganza. Morocco, boasting one of Africa’s best football infrastructures, will host the tournament as the continent’s top-ranked team.
What’s at Stake?
•Morocco’s Quest for Glory: The Atlas Lions aim to end a 49-year title drought. The hosts, Africa’s top-ranked side, are eyeing their first title since 1976. Can Morocco End Their Drought?
•Nigeria’s Redemption Story: Led by stars like Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles are determined to return to the summit and reclaim the crown after falling short in the 2023 edition.
•Surprise Packages and Underdog Stories: Comoros, Botswana, and Sudan will look to continue their fairy-tale runs after qualifying under challenging circumstances.
Format:
•24 teams, 6 groups of 4.
•Top two teams and the 4 best third-placed teams advance to the knockout rounds.
Venues: Matches are expected to take place in Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh, and Agadir, leveraging Morocco’s world-class infrastructure.
2. WAFCON 2024 – Celebration of Women As Africa senior Women’s Football Take the Stage
Dates: 5–26 July 2024
Host Nation: Morocco
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will keep the excitement alive well into 2025 as fans analyze results and performances. Defending champions South Africa face stiff competition from runners-up Morocco, powerhouses Nigeria, and rising forces like Zambia.
Expect thrilling matches as newcomers Botswana and Tanzania seek to make history, while established powerhouses fight to solidify their dominance.
What’s at Stake?
•Nigeria’s Redemption: The Super Falcons, record winners, are determined to regain their dominance.
•New Faces, New Stories: Botswana and Tanzania make only their second finals appearance, bringing fresh narratives.
•Building Momentum for 2026: The event will also be a testing ground ahead of the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
3. Youth Football Tournaments – The Future is Bright
CAF U-17 AFCON
Dates: 30 March – 19 April 2025
Host Nation: Morocco
CAF U-20 AFCON
Dates: 26 April – 25 May 2025
Host Nation: Côte d’Ivoire
Africa’s football future will be on display in the U-17 and U-20 AFCONs, which double as qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups.
Why These Tournaments Matter:
•Talent Showcase: Expect breakout performances as Africa’s next stars emerge.
•Global Opportunities: Qualifying for the FIFA youth tournaments opens doors for young African players to shine on the world stage.
•Host Nation Spotlight: Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire demonstrate their growing footballing pedigree.
4. FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – Spotlight on Emerging Talents
Dates: To be confirmed in 2025
Host Nation: Morocco
Morocco will also host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, underscoring its position as a hub for youth development. This tournament offers a glimpse into the future of women’s football, as emerging African stars look to make a global impact.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is a platform for emerging talents to shine.
What to Expect:
•Grassroots Development: This tournament highlights Africa’s investment in nurturing young talent.
•Rising Stars: Expect breakout performances as young players aim to impress scouts and fans alike.
•Women’s Football Momentum: With WAFCON preceding this event, the spotlight on women’s football will be bigger than ever.
Why It Matters:
•African Representation: Teams from across the continent will battle for glory, offering fans a glimpse into the future of women’s football.
•Local Excitement: Morocco’s hosting of two major tournaments in 2025 (AFCON and U-17 Women’s World Cup) underscores its growing influence in global football.
•Youth Development: This event emphasizes the importance of grassroots football and talent development in Africa.
5. 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – The Road to Dreams of Global Glory
With the expanded format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Africa has been allocated 9 direct slots and 1 playoff spot at stake for a historic 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The qualifiers are expected to reach a fever pitch in 2025 as nations battle for a ticket to the global stage.
Key Focus Areas:
•Nigeria’s Redemption Mission: After missing out on the 2022 World Cup, the Super Eagles are determined to return to the world stage stronger than ever. However, with poor run in their qualifying series. Currently, the Super Eagles sit fifth in their qualifying group, having garnered just three points from four matches, leaving them four points adrift of South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin. The three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions have struggled, managing only three draws and a recent defeat against Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic.
•Emerging Forces: Teams like Morocco, Senegal, and Cameroon aim to build on their recent successes and maintain Africa’s rising influence on world football.
•Expanded Opportunities: Smaller teams could make headlines in the expanded format, providing fans with more drama and surprises.
Africa’s journey to the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with:
•Six Rounds Remaining: The remaining qualifying rounds are spread across March, September, and October 2025.
•Playoffs in November: One final slot available for an intercontinental qualifier.
Surprise Leaders: Teams like Comoros, Rwanda, and Sudan are chasing their first-ever World Cup appearances, adding excitement to the qualifiers.
With expanded slots, more African teams have the chance to make history, adding drama and excitement to the qualifiers.
6. Club Football Extravaganza
CAF Competitions:
•CAF Champions League – Africa’s premier club tournament continues to captivate fans.
•CAF Confederation Cup – Intense battles for continental supremacy.
•CAF Women’s Champions League – Showcasing Africa’s best female club teams.
•CAF Super Cup – The year culminates with champions of the Champions League and Confederation Cup clashing for ultimate bragging rights.
7. FIFA Club World Cup – Global Showdown
Dates: 14 June – 13 July 2025
Location: USA
Africa will be represented by powerhouses Al Ahly, ES Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad AC as they face global giants like Real Madrid and Manchester City in this expanded 32-team competition. These African clubs, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Esperance Tunis will aim to upset European and South American powerhouses in the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.
8. Beach Soccer World Cup – African Flair on the Sands
Dates: 1–11 May 2025
Host Nation: Seychelles
For the first time, the Beach Soccer World Cup will be hosted in Africa, as Seychelles welcomes teams for a festival of skill, speed, and flair.
9. African Nations Championship (CHAN) – Homegrown Talent Takes the Stage
Dates: 1–28 February 2025
Co-Hosts: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) focuses on players who ply their trade domestically, offering a platform for homegrown talent. It will also act as a rehearsal for the 2027 AFCON, which these nations will co-host. The CHAN 2025 will test Africa’s locally based players, showcasing domestic talent
10. Breaking Records and Shaping the Future
Beyond football, Rwanda is set to host elite cycling events, signaling Africa’s growing prominence in global sports. Meanwhile, athletes across disciplines are pushing boundaries, aiming for records and global recognition in athletics, swimming, and more.
Final Thoughts: 2025 – Africa’s Year of Sporting Triumphs
From youth development in the CAF U-17 and U-20 AFCONs to club football excellence in the CAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, Africa is set to dazzle. Morocco takes the spotlight as host of multiple tournaments, while nations like Nigeria, Senegal, and Egypt push for dominance.
From established stars like Mohamed Salah and Ademola Lookman to rising talents in U-17 football, the continent is set to captivate global audiences and football lovers will have plenty to cheer about. Africa’s 2025 sports calendar is a celebration of resilience, talent, and ambition.
Morocco’s role as a hosting powerhouse, Nigeria’s pursuit of redemption, and new opportunities in World Cup qualifiers promise a year packed with action. Whether it’s on the beach, in stadiums, or across lush green fields, Africa is ready to shine.
Buckle up for an unforgettable year of victories, records, and emerging stars!
Stay tuned for updates, match analyses, and highlights throughout the year!
