AFCON 2025 will be Africa’s biggest football tournament, with 24 African nations competing. It will be the 35th edition of the continental championship and the second time Morocco has hosted the tournament since 1988.

Matches will be played in cities including Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir—cities known for their rich history and modern infrastructure.

The opening match will see the Moroccan national team face Comoros, while the following day Mali will play Zambia.

As a journalist who has covered Somali sports for the past 15 years, I attended the African Footballer of the Year Awards ceremony held in Rabat on 15 November 2025.

For the first time this year, Somali audiences were able to watch the event live, with thousands reacting on Astaan Sports’ Facebook page.

From my perspective, AFCON 2025—the 35th edition of the tournament—differs significantly from previous competitions.

This year, services for fans traveling to Morocco to watch the matches have been greatly improved.

Morocco has prepared 723 new buses to facilitate transportation for visitors and players. Luxury hotels and recreational facilities are also available.

Morocco has also hosted qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating new opportunities for African countries.

Somalia is among those countries, with Morocco supporting it through access to stadiums and training facilities.

Culture and Music

The tournament will showcase Morocco’s unique culture and the diversity of African traditions. Cultural dances and music performances will be held, and the official song, “Maghribi Maghribi,” will open the tournament on Sunday.

Morocco maintains partnerships with all 54 African countries, including Somalia, to strengthen football development.

Omar Khyari, adviser to the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, said this cooperation provides Somalia with opportunities for training and sports infrastructure development.

“We have built cooperative links with all 54 African countries. Somalia and Morocco, in particular, have a special partnership. Morocco is helping Somalia by allowing it to play its home matches in Morocco during competitions in which Somalia participates, which enhances the role of the Somali national team in AFCON 2025,” said Omar Khyari.

This cooperation will have a significant impact on the construction of stadiums and sports infrastructure in Somalia, enabling the country to compete at higher levels. It will also help develop high-quality players, allowing Somalia to gradually improve its domestic football.

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Mohamed Abdi Muudey is a sports journalist and the director of Astaan Sports.

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