The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a landmark announcement, significantly raising the financial stakes for the continent's premier football tournament. The winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be held in Morocco, will receive a whopping $10 million in prize money.
Substantial Financial Incentive for African Football
CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the new figures on Saturday, December 21, 2025, after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat. The announcement comes just a day before the tournament's opening match. This $10 million top prize marks a massive 43% increase from the $7 million awarded to champions Ivory Coast in the 2023 edition.
This increase continues a clear upward trend in the competition's value. Over just the past four years, the winner's purse has effectively doubled, as the champions in the 2021 Cameroon edition took home $5 million. The financial rewards extend beyond the champions:
- Runners-up will earn $4 million.
- Each of the two semi-finalists is set to receive $2.5 million.
CAF stated that these increments are a strategic move to "enhance the value, competitiveness, and international appeal" of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hosts Morocco Under Immense Pressure to Perform
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025, and will conclude with the final on 18 January 2026. The opening match will see the host nation, Morocco, face off against Comoros at the new 69,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 1900 GMT.
The Atlas Lions carry a tremendous burden of expectation into the competition. As Africa's highest-ranked team (11th in FIFA rankings) and semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, they enter the tournament on a world-record run of 18 consecutive victories. Coach Walid Regragui has been unequivocal about the team's ambition, stating, "I have always said the objective is to win this AFCON at home in front of our fans." He also acknowledged the unique pressure, warning that "anything other than victory will be a failure."
Key Contenders and Player Fitness
Morocco's path to glory is fraught with formidable opponents. The field includes defending champions Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt led by Mohamed Salah, and a Nigeria side spearheaded by Victor Osimhen.
In a major boost for the hosts, African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi has declared himself fit despite an ankle injury sustained in early November. The Paris Saint-Germain star said, "I feel good," though Coach Regragui may exercise caution in their opening Group A match, with further games against Mali and Zambia to come.
The prize money announcement underscores CAF's stated commitment to "elevating African football and rewarding excellence on the continent's most prestigious stage." As the tournament begins, all eyes will be on Morocco to see if they can convert national expectation and home advantage into a first AFCON title since 1976, and a historic $10 million payday.
