AFCON 2025: List of all teams qualified for Round of 16
(Courtesy : Getty)
AFCON 2025 knockout stage has taken shape!
With the group stage over, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) will enter the knockout round, where the remaining participants fight for a spot in the football tournament’s further stages.
The quarterfinals will take place on January 9 and 10, 2026, after the Round of 16 matches, which will be played from January 3–6. The semi-finals are set for January 13. The event will finish with a final in Rabat on January 18, where the winners will be announced.
By placing first or second in their group or being among the top four third-place finishers, 16 teams managed to reach beyond the group stage and enter the knockout stages. The tournament will now enter the critical phase, and one of these teams will head towards AFCON triumph.
We show you who has advanced to the Round of 16 and from which group they ended up in the overall knockout stage.
List of teams qualified for the Round of 16 in AFCON 2025
Egypt took the lead in Group B after defeating South Africa and Zimbabwe. Then came Nigeria, who advanced to the Round of 16 with victories against Tanzania and Tunisia despite failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Algeria also booked their place with narrow wins against Burkina Faso and Sudan.
Meanwhile, other big nations have also reached the knockout round with host nations securing their place alongside Senegal, Benin and defending champions Ivory Coast.
| Nation | Qualification Status |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Qualified (Group E leader) |
| Egypt | Qualified (Group B leader) |
| Mali | Qualified (Group A runner-up) |
| Morocco | Qualified (Group A leader & host) |
| Nigeria | Qualified (Group C leader) |
| South Africa | Qualified (Group B runner-up) |
| Senegal | Qualified (Group D leader) |
| Sudan | Qualified (from Group E – among best third-placed teams) |
| Tunisia | Qualified (Group C runner-up) |
| Tanzania | Qualified (from Group C – among best third-placed teams) |
| Cameroon | Qualified (Group F runner-up) |
| Benin | Qualified (from Group D – among best third-placed teams) |
| Mozambique | Qualified (from Group F – among best third-placed teams) |
| DR Congo | Qualified (Group D runner-up) |
| Ivory Coast | Qualified (Group F leader) |
| Burkina Faso | Qualified (Group E runner-up) |
Where did Egypt finish in their group?
They finished first in their group games.
Where did Morocco finish in their group?
They finished first in their group games.
When is the AFCON 2025 round of 16?
The round of 16 matches are from January 3–6.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.