AFCON Update: Eight Teams Know Their Round of 16 Opponents

AFCON Update: Eight Teams Know Their Round of 16 Opponents 

By Niyi Busari 

Eight teams at the Africa Cup of Nations have learned their Round of 16 opponents as the tournament moves into its knockout phase, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Hosts Morocco, along with Mali, Tunisia, DR Congo and Egypt, are among the nations already paired for the last-16 stage. The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place from 3 to 6 January 2026.

So far, eight teams have been confirmed in their respective fixtures, while the remaining eight will discover their opponents after the conclusion of the group-stage matches on Wednesday, 31 December 2025.

Confirmed Round of 16 Fixtures

Morocco vs Tanzania

Mali vs Tunisia

Algeria vs DR Congo

Egypt vs Benin

16 Qualified Teams by Group

Group A: Morocco, Mali

Group B: Egypt, South Africa

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Tanzania

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Sudan (final positions subject to change)

Group F: Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique (final positions to be decided)

The remaining four Round of 16 fixtures will be confirmed once all group-stage matches have been completed.