As the preeminent football competition from CAF, the Africa Cup of Nations is the pinnacle of football across the African continent.
Success at AFCON can elevate a player’s career, and lifting the trophy enshrines a national team into the greats of African football.
The first step towards AFCON glory is advancing past the group stage and into the knockouts, which teams can do by either finishing first or second in their group, or being one of the top four third-place finishers.
The Jugo Mobile brings you a look at who has secured passage to the Round of 16, and where each team will fall in the overall knockout bracket.
Teams to qualify for AFCON 2025 knockout stage
There were three teams to mathematically secure a spot in the knockout stage after just two group stage matches, as six points from two games was enough to cement a place.
The first was Egypt, who beat Zimbabwe and South Africa to put themselves top of Group B. Then came Nigeria, who despite missing out on a spot at the 2026 World Cup, but themselves into the Round of 16 with wins over Tanzania and Tunisia. Last was Algeria, who advanced after wins over Sudan and Burkina Faso.
| Nation | FIFA rank | Stage Eliminated | Result |
| Egypt | 35 | Group B | First place |
| Nigeria | 38 | Group C | |
| Algeria | 34 | Group E | |
| South Africa | 61 | Group B | Second place |
| Morocco | 11 | Group A | First place |
Third place table
For teams that do not qualify as a top-two finisher in their group, four additional knockout stage spots are available by being one of the top four third-place finishers. The final two third-place teams will be eliminated.
All teams listed in the table below have played three group games and are therefore concluded with group stage play.
| Pos. | Team | Group | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | Angola | B | 2 | 0-2-1 | -1 |
| 2. | Comoros | A | 2 | 0-2-1 | -2 |
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AFCON 2025 knockout stage schedule, fixtures, results
The top two teams from each group, plus the three best third-place nations, comprise the 16 sides that enter the knockout stage.
Round of 16
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group D winners vs. 3rd-place B/E/F | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Mali (2A) vs. Group C runners-up | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Morocco (1A) vs. 3rd-place C/D/E | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | South Africa (2B) vs. Group F runners-up | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Egypt (1B) vs. 3rd-place A/C/D | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group C winners vs. 3rd-place A/B/F | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group E winners vs. Group D runners-up | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group F winners vs. Group E runners-up | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
Quarterfinals
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners RO16 2 vs. Winners RO16 1 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 4 vs. Winners RO16 3 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners RO16 7 vs. Winners RO16 6 | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 5 vs. Winners RO16 8 | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
Semifinals
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners QF 1 vs. Winners QF 4 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners QF 3 vs. Winners QF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
Third-place playoff
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Losers SF 1 vs. Losers SF 2 | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
Final
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 18, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Winners SF 1 vs. Winners SF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
