Teams in AFCON knockouts: List of nations to qualify from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage

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Teams in AFCON knockouts: List of nations to qualify from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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 Sporting News 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.

MORE:A full look at the standings, bracket, fixtures, and matchups for AFCON 2025

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
3.
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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

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