AFCON 2025 Round of 16: Qualified countries, fixtures and results

AFCON 2025 Round of 16: Qualified Teams, Fixtures, and Key Talking Points

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is steadily building momentum as the group stages near completion. Attention is now turning to the Round of 16, where the competition intensifies and the margin for error disappears.

Below are the qualified teams so far, the confirmed Round of 16 fixtures, and key storylines to watch as the knockout phase approaches.

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Qualified Countries

Two teams have already secured their places in the Round of 16 following impressive performances in the group stage.

Egypt (Group B)

The Pharaohs became the first team to qualify after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Africa. Despite being reduced to ten men for a significant portion of the match, Egypt showed resilience and composure, with Mohamed Salah converting a decisive penalty. The result guarantees Egypt a top-two finish in Group B.

Nigeria (Group C)

Nigeria booked their spot shortly after with a thrilling 3–2 win over Tunisia. Goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman underlined the Super Eagles’ attacking efficiency, marking them as one of the most clinical teams in the tournament so far.

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures

The knockout stage will begin on Saturday, January 3, 2026. While some matchups remain subject to final group standings, the structure of the Round of 16 has been confirmed.

Round of 16 Schedule (GMT):

• January 3

  • Winner Group D vs 3rd Place (B/E/F) — Tangier, 16:00

  • Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C — Casablanca, 19:00

• January 4

  • Winner Group A vs 3rd Place (C/D/E) — Rabat, 16:00

  • Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F — Rabat, 19:00

• January 5

  • Egypt (Winner Group B) vs 3rd Place (A/C/D) — Agadir, 16:00

  • Nigeria (Winner Group C) vs 3rd Place (A/B/F) — Fez, 19:00

• January 6

  • Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D — Rabat, 16:00

  • Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E — Marrakesh, 19:00

What to Watch For in the Round of 16

The Best Third-Placed Teams

Four of the strongest third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage, keeping several nations firmly in contention. Teams such as Zambia, Mali, and South Africa still have realistic hopes of progressing, depending on final group results.

The Hosts’ Path

Morocco currently leads Group A and could enjoy a significant advantage if they finish as group winners. That scenario would see them play their Round of 16 match on January 4 in Rabat, likely in front of a sold-out and highly vocal home crowd.

Defending Champions Under Pressure

Defending champions Ivory Coast are locked in a battle with Cameroon for top spot in Group F. Their final group match will be decisive, determining whether they take the relatively smoother group-winner route or face a potentially tougher knockout path as runners-up.

As AFCON 2025 edges closer to the knockout rounds, anticipation continues to grow. With heavyweight clashes looming and surprises still possible, the Round of 16 promises drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments across Morocco.