The final Africa Cup of Nations table for the 2025/2026 tournament concludes with Senegal as the champions after defeating the hosts, Morocco, 1–0 in a dramatic final on January 18, 2026. This victory marks Senegal’s second continental title, following their 2021 success. The tournament, hosted across six Moroccan cities from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, featured 24 teams divided into six groups, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stages.
In this comprehensive guide, you will find the complete breakdown of the AFCON group standings, knockout results, and final tournament rankings. We detail the path to the final in Rabat, the performance of top nations like Nigeria and Egypt, and provide the essential statistics that defined this historic winter edition of Africa’s premier football competition.
2025 AFCON Final Standings
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended with Senegal lifting the trophy at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Nigeria secured the bronze medal after a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff, while the hosts, Morocco, finished as runners-up.
| Position | Team | Performance Summary |
| 1st (Champions) | Senegal | Defeated Morocco 1–0 (AET) in the final. |
| 2nd | Morocco | Runners-up; lost final on home soil. |
| 3rd | Nigeria | Won third-place playoff vs. Egypt (4–2 on pens). |
| 4th | Egypt | Finished fourth after reaching the semi-finals. |
Group A Table: Morocco and Mali Advance
As the host nation, Morocco dominated Group A, finishing at the top of the table with 7 points. Mali joined them in the knockout rounds after a series of resilient draws, while Comoros and Zambia were eliminated.
- Morocco: Secured two wins and one draw, including a vital 3–0 victory over Zambia.
- Mali: Finished second with three draws, showing remarkable defensive stability.
- Comoros & Zambia: Both finished with 2 points, failing to secure a win in the opening round.
Group B Table: Egypt Leads the Pack
Egypt finished at the summit of Group B, spearheaded by veteran Mohamed Salah. South Africa followed in second place after a high-scoring 3–2 victory over Zimbabwe in their final group fixture.
- Egypt: Topped the group with 7 points, including wins over South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- South Africa: Earned 6 points, proving their clinical nature in front of goal.
- Angola & Zimbabwe: Angola finished third with 2 points, which was not enough to advance as a best third-placed team.
Group C Table: Nigeria’s Perfect Record
Nigeria was the standout performer of the group stages, winning all three of their matches to finish with 9 points. Tunisia secured the second spot, while Tanzania advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
- Nigeria: Scored 9 goals in the group stage, including a 3–1 win over Tunisia.
- Tunisia: Managed 4 points to comfortably secure a knockout berth.
- Tanzania: Advanced with 2 points and a superior goal difference over other third-placed rivals.
Group D Table: Senegal and DR Congo Progress
The eventual champions, Senegal, shared the spoils with DR Congo in Group D, with both teams finishing on 7 points. Benin also progressed to the Round of 16 as a third-placed qualifier.
- Senegal: Finished first due to a superior goal difference (+6).
- DR Congo: Remained unbeaten, matching Senegal’s points tally but finishing second.
- Benin: Collected 3 points, enough to extend their stay in the tournament.
Group E Table: Algeria Dominates
Algeria mirrored Nigeria’s perfect run, securing 9 points from three matches. Burkina Faso followed in second, while Sudan made a surprising jump into the knockouts as a third-placed team.
- Algeria: Scored 7 goals and conceded only 1 during the group phase.
- Burkina Faso: Finished with 6 points after wins over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
- Sudan: Advanced with 3 points, largely due to their 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Group F Table: Holders Fall Short
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire topped Group F with 7 points, followed closely by Cameroon. Mozambique also created history by advancing as a third-placed team.
- Côte d’Ivoire: Secured the top spot with a goal difference of +2.
- Cameroon: Finished second with 7 points, losing the top spot on tiebreakers.
- Mozambique: Earned 3 points, qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Practical Information and Planning
The 2025 AFCON was a logistical milestone for Morocco, utilizing high-speed rail and modern infrastructure to move fans between cities.
- Host Cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez.
- Ticket Prices: Category 3 tickets started at $5 (50 MAD), while Final tickets reached $100 (1000 MAD).
- Transport: The “Al Boraq” high-speed train connected Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca in under two hours.
- What to Expect: Strict security protocols at stadiums and a festive “Fan Zone” atmosphere in major city squares.
- Tips for Visitors: Fans should download the official CAF ticketing app and carry a physical copy of their digital ID for stadium entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Africa Cup of Nations 2025?
Senegal won the 2025 AFCON by defeating Morocco 1–0 in the final on January 18, 2026. Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time.
How many teams qualified for the knockout stage?
A total of 16 teams advanced: the top two from each of the six groups, plus the four best third-placed teams (Tanzania, Benin, Sudan, and Mozambique).
Who was the top scorer of AFCON 2025?
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 5 goals, despite missing a penalty in the final.
Where was the AFCON 2025 final played?
The final took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco’s capital city.
What was the prize money for the AFCON 2025 winner?
The winners, Senegal, received US$10 million, an increase from the $7 million awarded in the previous edition.
Did Egypt win the bronze medal?
No, Nigeria won the bronze medal after defeating Egypt 4–2 in a penalty shootout following a 0–0 draw in the third-place playoff.
Which teams were in Group A?
Group A consisted of Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Morocco and Mali were the two to advance directly.
When did the tournament take place?
The tournament was held during the winter period, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Why was the tournament held in December/January?
The schedule was adjusted to avoid conflict with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup scheduled for June 2025.
Who is the coach of Senegal?
Senegal was led to victory by Pape Thiaw, who served as the head coach during the 2025/2026 campaign.
How many goals were scored in the tournament?
A total of 121 goals were scored across 52 matches, averaging approximately 2.33 goals per game.
Final Thoughts
The 2025/2026 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered as the highest-scoring and perhaps most chaotic edition in the tournament’s history. By the final whistle on January 18, 2026, Senegal stood alone at the summit, having navigated a gauntlet that included a dramatic walk-off and a historic 1–0 extra-time victory over the hosts, Morocco. The tournament broke the all-time scoring record with 121 goals, solidifying the shift toward an more attacking, high-octane style of play across the continent.
For Morocco, the “50 years of hurt” continues, but their flawless organization and the individual brilliance of Brahim Díaz (Top Scorer) cemented their status as a global footballing hub. For Nigeria and Egypt, the tournament served as a reminder of their enduring consistency, while smaller nations like Mozambique and Sudan proved that the gap between Africa’s “giants” and the rest of the field has effectively vanished. As the dust settles in Rabat, the 2025 AFCON stands as a definitive success that has set a new benchmark for prestige and entertainment in international soccer.
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