The upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is drawing remarkable global attention, with thousands of fans from outside Africa already securing their tickets for the continental football extravaganza. Scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the tournament promises to be not only a showcase of African football excellence but also a global festival attracting supporters from every corner of the world.
Recent data on international ticket sales reveal a growing appetite for African football among global audiences. France leads the pack by a huge margin, with more than 109,000 tickets sold. The country’s deep cultural, historical, and familial ties with Africa continue to drive enthusiasm for the tournament. From Paris to Marseille, French fans are preparing to bring unmatched energy to Moroccan stadiums.
Belgium follows as the second-largest source of non-African spectators, with over 7,000 tickets sold. The country’s close connections with several African nations, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, have helped fuel this strong interest. The Netherlands ranks third with nearly 6,000 tickets, highlighting the long-standing football links between Dutch clubs and African players, especially from Ghana, Nigeria, and Morocco.
The United Kingdom takes fourth place with more than 5,000 tickets already purchased. The enduring popularity of African players in the Premier League—icons like Mohamed Salah, Thomas Partey, and Riyad Mahrez—has clearly inspired many British fans to experience African football at its source. Canada is also showing growing interest, with nearly 4,000 fans planning to attend, thanks largely to its diverse African diaspora and expanding football culture.
Germany and Switzerland have also shown notable engagement, with 3,056 and 1,714 tickets sold respectively, demonstrating the strong admiration for African talent in Europe’s top leagues. Meanwhile, the United States’ growing soccer fan base and large African communities have driven over 1,200 ticket sales, while Spain and Italy round out the top ten, collectively adding more than 2,000 enthusiastic supporters.
With Morocco hosting AFCON for the first time since 1988, organizers are preparing for one of the most internationally attended editions in history. Fans are encouraged to secure their Fan IDs through the Yalla App, which is required for stadium access, ticket purchases, and simplified visa processing.
AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a football competition — it’s a global celebration of African passion, unity, and pride.
