The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on December 21 with 24 national teams competing for the trophy, and UK fans can watch all the action for free
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will begin on Sunday evening with hosts Morocco facing Comoros in the tournament opener. The continental competition unfolds during the festive period with 24 national sides competing for the crown.
Numerous Premier League talents and other prominent players have left their clubs to participate. Stars including Mohamed Salah, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amad, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo have left England with the chance to claim silverware for their international careers whilst the Premier League campaign rolls on.
Additional global stars such as Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi will also leave their respective teams to represent their nations.
Here, Star Football explains how you can access AFCON for free and which fixtures will take place throughout the festive period.
How do I watch AFCON for free?
Channel 4 secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2025 AFCON tournament. This agreement marks the first time the competition will be accessible to view at no cost in the UK.
Every match will be shown live throughout Channel 4’s network with E4 and 4Seven screening games alongside the primary Channel 4 coverage. Streaming will also be accessible online through the Channel 4 YouTube platform.
The broadcaster’s head of sport, Pete Andrews, said: “Bringing the excitement and drama of the African Cup of Nations exclusively to UK free-to-air television for the first time is such a compelling proposition for Channel 4.
“So many Premier League stars will be playing in the tournament and having Liverpool legend Mo Salah on Channel 4 on Boxing Day, when traditional Premier League football coverage has been reduced elsewhere, means football fans will still be able to get their thrill of festive fixtures.”
AFCON 2025 schedule and where to watch
The group stage fixtures are as follows:
- Morocco vs Comoros – Sunday, December 21 at 7pm. Available on E4/Channel 4.
- Mali vs Zambia – Monday, December 22 at 2pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4
- South Africa vs Angola – Monday, December 22 at 5pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Egypt vs Zimbabwe – Monday, December 22 at 8pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- DR Congo vs Benin – Tuesday, December 23 at 12:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Senegal vs Botswana – Tuesday, December 23 at 3pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Nigeria vs Tanzania – Tuesday, December 23 at 5:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Tunisia vs Uganda – Tuesday, December 23 at 8pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea – Wednesday, December 24 at 12:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Algeria vs Sudan – Wednesday, December 24 at 3pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Mozambique – Wednesday, December 24 at 5:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Cameroon vs Gabon – Wednesday, December 24 at 8pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Angola vs Zimbabwe – Friday, December 26 at 12:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Egypt vs South Africa – Friday, 26 December at 3pm. Catch it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Zambia vs Comoros – Friday, 26 December at 5:30pm. Tune in to 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Morocco vs Mali – Friday, 26 December at 8pm. Watch it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Benin vs Botswana – Saturday, 27 December at 12:30pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Senegal vs DR Congo – Saturday, 27 December at 3pm. Don’t miss it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Uganda vs Tanzania – Saturday, 27 December at 5:30pm. It’s on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Nigeria vs Tunisia – Saturday, 27 December at 8pm. Catch the action on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Gabon vs Mozambique – Sunday, 28 December at 12:30pm. Tune in to 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan – Sunday, 28 December at 3pm. Watch it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Algeria vs Burkina Faso – Sunday, 28 December at 5:30pm. It’s on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Cameroon – Sunday, 28 December at 8pm. Don’t miss it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Angola vs Egypt – Monday, 29 December at 4pm. Catch the action on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Monday, 29 December at 4pm. Tune in to 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Zambia vs Morocco – Monday, 29 December at 7pm. Watch it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Comoros vs Mali – Monday, 29 December at 7pm. It’s on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Uganda vs Nigeria – Tuesday, 30 December at 4pm. Don’t miss it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Tanzania vs Tunisia – Tuesday, 30 December at 4pm. Catch the action on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Botswana vs DR Congo – Tuesday, 30 December at 7pm. Tune in to 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Benin vs Senegal – Tuesday, 30 December at 7pm. Catch it on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – Wednesday, 31 December at 4pm. Tune in to 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Sudan vs Burkina Faso – Wednesday, 31 December at 4pm. Watch it on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
- Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire – Wednesday, 31 December at 7pm. Available on 4Seven/Channel 4.
- Mozambique vs Cameroon – Wednesday, 31 December at 7pm. Stream it on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.