AFCON 2025 Kicks Off in Morocco Amid Scheduling Controversy and Premier League Action
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun in Morocco, with the opening match between Morocco and Comoros taking place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The tournament, hosted across six Moroccan cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez, will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
This edition marks the first time AFCON is staged over Christmas and New Year since its inception in 1957, a scheduling decision that has sparked considerable anger within African football circles. Coaches such as Patrice Beaumelle and Gernot Rohr have criticized the timing and the lack of clear guidance on player release, pointing out that preparation time for the tournament has been cut from about two weeks to less than seven days due to late player releases.
The scheduling conflicts stem from FIFA's 15 December release deadline and CAF's preferred tournament window from 21 December to 18 January, chosen to avoid clashes with the UEFA Champions League and Europa League fixtures. A FIFA official acknowledged that the congested calendar is not working effectively and called for broader discussions to find a suitable compromise. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously suggested aligning AFCON as a four-year event or moving it to autumn, reflecting evolving positions influenced by the African football revenue context.
Under CAF president Patrice Motsepe's leadership, the confederation is seeking more than $1 billion in guaranteed income through an eight-year media and marketing rights deal with IMG and Iris Sport Media.
Morocco aims to win AFCON for the first time since 1976, building momentum ahead of their role as co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
On the Premier League front, Aston Villa host Manchester United in a highly anticipated match, with Villa striving for their 10th consecutive win. Only one Premier League game is scheduled for the day, complemented by other football action including the Women's League Cup quarter-finals and matches involving three of the top four teams in the Scottish Premiership.
Live coverage and updates of the sports events, including AFCON and domestic leagues, have been provided by Tom Bassam, with timely reporting ensuring fans stay informed throughout the opening day of the tournament and domestic fixtures.
