AFCON 2025: North African trio head the outright market in Morocco

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place in Morocco for the first time since 1988, starts on Sunday, December 21, with the host nation taking on Comoros in Rabat. The Atlas Lions are favourites to win the tournament on home soil, but who else is in the running to lift the trophy in the capital on January 18, 2026?

Below are the AFCON 2025 Winner Odds, alongside a discussion on some of the main contenders for the crown.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Africa Cup of Nations Odds

Morocco @ 5/2

Morocco's first and so far only Afcon title came way back in 1976, and on home soil this time around, the pressure is on the Atlas Lions to deliver a second success, particularly after reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

Boasting the likes of Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) and Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce) in their squad, and playing in front of a home crowd, Morocco are understandably favourites to go all the way and lift the trophy in Rabat.

The only question is, can they handle the pressure? After their exploits at the 2022 World Cup, where they knocked out Spain and Portugal en route to the final four, they were humbled in the last 16 of the 2023 Afcon (played in 2024) by South Africa, who triumphed 2-0 in San Pedro, Ivory Coast.

Algeria @ 11/2

A North African nation has won the last three tournaments held in the region, with Tunisia and Egypt triumphing on home soil in 2004 and 2006, respectively, before Algeria emerged victorious in Egypt in 2019.

That title was Algeria's second at the Afcon, following their success in 1990, held in their own country.

The Desert Foxes have suffered humiliating exits at the last two tournaments, though, as they were grouped in 2021 (played in 2022) and 2023 (played in 2024).

However, with the competition back in North Africa, and after successful Afcon and World Cup qualification campaigns, there is a feel-good factor back in the Algerian ranks, and combined with the quality of players such as Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) and Mohamed Amoura (VFL Wolfsburg), that should take them far in Morocco.

Egypt @ 6/1

Seven-time winners Egypt are the most successful nation in Afcon history, but they haven't lifted the trophy since securing a hat-trick of titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The Pharaohs ambled to a second-place finish in Group B last time, drawing all three games, before losing 2-1 in the last 16 to DR Congo. Their talisman and captain, Mohamed Salah, was injured for their final group match and their sole knockout phase fixture, so there will be some hope this time around, in a more familiar part of the continent, that they can go much further if they keep the Liverpool forward fit.

However, the 33-year-old, after inspiring the Reds to the Premier League title last season, has endured a turbulent campaign so far in 2025/26, scoring just five goals and registering four assists in 20 appearances for the Merseyside club. He hasn't started a game since November 26, and made his displeasure at his situation public knowledge after Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6, a decision that has divided the fanbase.

Former Reds defender and current pundit Jamie Carragher recently received plenty of flak for his comments about Salah and his perceived failings for Egypt, but while it may have been unfair to downplay some of his achievements with the national team, it's been common knowledge that the Egyptian King has been desperate to claim a title for his country, and there is a definite sense that the Pharaohs have underachieved with one of the world's best players in their ranks.

The likes of Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes) and Trezeguet (Al-Ahly) will need to step up, too, in Morocco, but you get the sense that Egypt's hopes rely on Salah once more.

So, can he park his Liverpool malaise aside and spark a title bid for his nation? It will be fascinating to see how it all unfolds.

Football Odds

Senegal @ 6/1

Senegal, who won their first and so far only Afcon title in 2022 (Afcon 2021), are the most-fancied non-North African side to claim the title in Morocco.

The defence of their crown didn't go according to plan in 2024 (Afcon 2023) as they were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual champions Ivory Coast, but their squad remains strong.

Although Sadio Mane's (Al-Nassr) powers may be on the wane, fellow forwards Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) are both enjoying strong seasons with their Premier League clubs and look ready to step up to the plate for the Lions of Teranga.

Senegal comfortably qualified for the 2025 Afcon, finishing six points clear of closest challengers Burkina Faso in Group L, and they topped their 2026 World Cup qualification group, too, so confidence should be high in Pape Thiaw's side.

Nigeria, at the 1994 Afcon in Tunisia, were the last non-North African country to claim the title in the region; can Senegal stop the trend continuing this time around?

Nigeria @ 10/1

Talking of Nigeria, the Super Eagles have been installed as fifth-favourites to win the competition by Betfred.

Nigeria, arguably, possess the most talented squad at the tournament, with superstar striker Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) ably supported in attack by Serie A ace Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), with the Fulham trio of Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey also amongst the big-name players included in Eric Chelle's squad.

Long-time captain William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood) declared his international retirement on the eve of Chelle's squad announcement, though, so his presence will be sorely missed in Morocco, and the feeling remains that this is a top-heavy team that may struggle at the back and to maintain control in midfield.

Tunisia @ 12/1

I don't think Tunisia would be this high up in the reckoning if the tournament wasn't being held in North Africa.

The Eagles of Carthage were grouped at the last Afcon, picking up just two points from three games, despite being handed a favourable group also containing Mali, South Africa and Namibia.

Tunisia weren't too impressive in qualifying, finishing second, behind Comoros, in Group A, although they did obliterate the competition in Group H of their World Cup qualification campaign, claiming 28 points from a possible 30 and keeping a clean sheet in all 10 games.

Those results and the confidence built up may serve them well in Morocco, but it's not a squad that jumps out in terms of individual quality. That, of course, may be a help, rather than a hindrance, as we have seen plenty of star-studded teams falter at the first hurdle before, while more efficient outfits have progressed further.

Still, I'm reticent to back Sami Trabelsi's side to go very far here.

Mali @ 12/1

Quarter-finalists at the 2023 Afcon, Mali will be hoping to reach the same stage, at a minimum, this time around, having been drawn in Group A with Morocco, Zambia and Comoros.

The Eagles aren't favourites to win the group, but they're highly fancied to finish second after an unbeaten qualification campaign (W4, D2) that saw them concede just once in six games.

Most of Mali's experience comes at the back, with 22-year-olds Dorgeles Nene (Fenerbahce) and Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois) expected to play leading roles in attack; the former has scored 14 goals in 22 caps, while the latter has nine in 27.

I can certainly get behind Tom Saintfiet's side at this price.

Ivory Coast @ 12/1

Having claimed their third title on home soil in 2024, Ivory Coast will hope to become the first team since Egypt in 2010 to defend their crown successfully.

The Elephants were slow starters at the 2023 Afcon, looking in real danger of a group-stage exit, but somehow, they rallied to make the knockouts, and there was no looking back from there.

Once again, Ivory Coast boast one of the best squads at the tournament, with Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli) and Amad Diallo (Manchester United) among their star names.

Arguably their best player, Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe, was left out, though, and the Elephants finished behind Zambia in their qualifying group.

Head coach Emerson Fae will be wary of the weight of expectation on his side, with the pressure that comes with the tag of defending champions often too much for sides to handle.

Cameroon @ 16/1

Cameroon are arguably the pre-tournament story - and not for the right reasons.

The Indomitable Lions, who lifted the trophy for the fifth time in 2017, are in the midst of a power struggle between legendary former striker Samuel Eto'o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, and Marc Brys, who was appointed as head coach by the Ministry of Sports.

Eto'o appointed David Pagou as his new manager, but with Brys refusing to back down, two different squad lists have been submitted. Eto'o had omitted big-name players such as Andre Onana (Manchester United, on loan at Trabzonspor) and Vincent Aboubakar (Neftci), who is second behind him in Cameroon's all-time top scorer list.

Big talents like Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) will certainly be in Morocco, no matter who is in the dugout, so there will be undoubted quality in the starting XI, but is there enough cohesion?

Acca Flex

Football Accumulators (5+ legs). All markets. Min odds 1/2 per leg. 5%-100% cash bonus if all selections win. £10 max refund if 1 leg loses. Paid within 24hrs of bet settlement. No Cash Out bets. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.