The excitement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached a fever pitch as we enter the knockout stages. After a thrilling Round of 16, the tournament has been whittled down to the final eight elite teams. The AFCON 2025 Quarter-Final schedule is now set, promising high-stakes drama, continental rivalries, and world-class football.
With heavyweights like Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt securing their spots, fans are in for a weekend of unmissable action. Below, we break down the complete fixture list, qualified teams, kickoff times, and venues for the quarter-finals.
Teams Qualified for AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals
The road to the trophy is getting shorter, but the competition is getting tougher. The following nations have successfully navigated the group stages and the Round of 16 to book their place in the quarter-finals. This year’s lineup features a mix of defending champions and eager challengers.
The Elite Eight:
- Senegal (The Lions of Teranga)
- Mali (The Eagles)
- Morocco (The Atlas Lions – Hosts)
- Cameroon (The Indomitable Lions)
- Egypt (The Pharaohs)
- Nigeria (The Super Eagles)
- Algeria (The Desert Warriors)
- Ivory Coast (The Elephants)
AFCON 2025 Quarter-Final Fixtures & Schedule
The quarter-finals will take place over two action-packed days: January 9 and January 10, 2026. All eyes will be on Morocco as the host nation looks to capitalize on their home advantage in Rabat.
Here is the comprehensive schedule for the upcoming matches.
Quarter-Final Matchups Table
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Venue | Location |
| Jan 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Mali vs Senegal | Tangier Grand Stadium | Tangier |
| Jan 9, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Cameroon vs Morocco | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium | Rabat |
| Jan 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Algeria vs Nigeria | Marrakesh Stadium | Marrakesh |
| Jan 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Egypt vs Ivory Coast | Adrar Stadium | Agadir |
Detailed Match Previews: Road to the Semis
Day 1: Friday, January 9, 2026
Mali vs Senegal (11 AM ET)
The quarter-finals kick off at the Tangier Grand Stadium with a massive West African derby. Senegal, looking to cement their legacy as one of Africa’s greatest teams, faces a resilient Mali squad. This match will likely be a tactical battle, with Senegal’s attacking flair testing Mali’s organized defense. The winner sets the tone for the rest of the round.
Cameroon vs Morocco (2 PM ET)
In perhaps the most anticipated match of the round, the host nation Morocco takes on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the atmosphere will be electric. Morocco will rely on their passionate home crowd to push them past a physically dominant Cameroon side that thrives in high-pressure knockout games.
Day 2: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Algeria vs Nigeria (11 AM ET)
The action shifts to Marrakesh for a clash of titans. Algeria vs Nigeria is a classic continental rivalry. Both teams boast prolific goal-scorers and have a history of producing high-scoring thrillers. With a semi-final spot on the line, expect an aggressive, fast-paced game as the Super Eagles try to outmaneuver the tactical discipline of the Desert Warriors.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast (2 PM ET)
The quarter-final stage concludes at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir with a blockbuster fixture: Egypt vs Ivory Coast. The Pharaohs, the most successful team in AFCON history, face a star-studded Ivory Coast team. This match features some of the best individual talent in the tournament, making it a fitting finale to the quarter-final round.
Conclusion
The AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals are set to deliver unforgettable moments. From the passionate roar of the fans in Rabat to the tactical masterclasses expected in Tangier and Marrakesh, the journey to the final is heating up. Make sure to mark your calendars for January 9th and 10th, as these eight nations battle for pride, glory, and a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis as we inch closer to crowning the King of African Football.