Morocco has selected nine stadiums in six cities for the Africa Cup of Nations finals starting in December, the country’s local organising committee said on Monday hours before the tournament draw was due to be held.

World Cup semifinalist Morocco was drawn in a group with Mali, Zambia and Comoros on Monday for the men’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations it will host. The Dec. 21-Jan. 18 tournament will be the biggest soccer event in Morocco before co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal — the teams it eliminated at the 2022 World Cup to become the first African nation ever to reach the semifinals.

Africa Cup of Nations takes place across December this year and January 2026 in Morocco.Ivory Coast enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2023 final last February against Nigeria.

Host nation Morocco have been drawn alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros in the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It was confirmed in June that the next edition of AFCON will take place between December 21,

The group stage draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were held in Morocco yesterday. Some countries emerged as favourites to win their groups.

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations group draw on Monday Jan. 27, ESPN ranks every one of the 24 qualifiers, and forecasts who will go the distance at the continental showpiece in Morocco later this year.