The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to kick off in just eight weeks, featuring 24 national teams vying for the coveted trophy on Moroccan soil, according to Soccernet.ng.
Ivory Coast, the current African champions, stand out as the frontrunners for the 2025 tournament. Their unbeaten run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers-winning eight matches and drawing two-cements their status as top contenders.
In anticipation of the event, Soccernet.ng has compiled a comprehensive power ranking of all participating teams, from the lowest to the highest, offering a clear picture of who might struggle and who could shine in Morocco. These rankings are primarily based on the latest FIFA Rankings.
AFCON 2025 Power Rankings: Teams Ranked from 24 to 1
24. Botswana
Ranked 137th in the latest FIFA standings, Botswana secured their AFCON spot by finishing second behind Egypt, surpassing Mauritania and Cape Verde in qualifiers. With a squad valued at just €2.5 million, the Batswana enter the tournament as the lowest-ranked team.
Drawn into Group D with Benin, DR Congo, and Senegal, Botswana faces a daunting challenge to advance beyond the group stage under coach Morena Cuthbert.
23. Zimbabwe
Despite finishing last in their World Cup qualifying group, Zimbabwe proved resilient by holding Nigeria to two draws. Positioned 129th in FIFA rankings, they face a tough Group B challenge against Angola, Egypt, and South Africa, making progression beyond the group stage unlikely.
22. Sudan
Sudan enters AFCON 2025 without a win in their last eight matches, aiming to improve during the upcoming international break. The former AFCON champions, ranked 119th and valued at around €1.5 million, are grouped with Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea, where advancing will require significant effort.
21. Comoros
Making their second AFCON appearance, Comoros is one of Africa’s smallest nations with a population under one million. Their team, worth €17.9 million, has risen impressively under Italian coach Stefano Cusin, who averages 1.7 points per game. Despite recent setbacks dropping them to 112th in FIFA rankings, they could be a surprise package in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and hosts Morocco.
20. Tanzania
Placed in Group C with Uganda, Tunisia, and Nigeria, Tanzania is the lowest-ranked team in the group at 107th and has the smallest squad market value (€2.33 million). Given the strength of their opponents, coach Hemed Suleiman’s side is expected to finish at the bottom of the group.
19. Mozambique
Making their sixth AFCON appearance, Mozambique slipped four places to 101st in FIFA rankings after a recent loss to Guinea. They face a challenging Group F with Cameroon, Gabon, and defending champions Ivory Coast.
18. Equatorial Guinea
Known for producing the previous AFCON’s top scorer Emiliano Nsue, Equatorial Guinea qualified from a group featuring Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Now ranked 99th, they will compete in Group E against Algeria, Sudan, and Burkina Faso, aiming to upset the favorites.
17. Benin Republic
After narrowly missing out on the 2026 World Cup, Benin returns to AFCON after a six-year hiatus. Ranked 92nd, they face Botswana, Senegal, and DR Congo in Group D. As the third-highest ranked team in their group, they have a strong chance to advance, potentially as one of the best third-placed teams.
16. Angola
Quarter-finalists in the last AFCON, Angola holds steady at 89th in FIFA rankings after two draws in October. They face a tough Group B with Egypt, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, where progression will be fiercely contested.
15. Zambia
Struggling recently with eight losses in their last ten matches, Zambia dropped two spots to 87th in FIFA rankings. Defensive frailties could see them exit early from Group A, which includes Mali, Morocco, and Comoros.
14. Uganda
Despite winning three of their last five matches, Uganda slipped one place to 83rd in FIFA rankings. With a squad valued at €5.38 million, they are expected to deliver a solid performance in Group C against Nigeria and Tunisia.
13. Gabon
Gabon boasts the prolific striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who recently scored four goals against Gambia. Ranked 77th after two wins in October, Gabon faces a challenging Group F with Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. They also prepare for a World Cup playoff against Nigeria.
12. Burkina Faso
With a squad valued at over €100 million, Burkina Faso ranks 63rd after two wins in October. They are expected to advance comfortably from Group E, which includes Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
11. DR Congo
Maintaining their 60th position in FIFA rankings, DR Congo competes in Group D with Senegal, Botswana, and Benin. Featuring defensive stalwarts like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, and Axel Tuanzabe, they have shown defensive solidity with two clean sheets in their last two matches.
10. South Africa
Ranked 59th, Bafana Bafana’s recent achievements include a bronze medal at AFCON 2023 and qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 16-year absence. They are favorites to top Group B, where Egypt is their main competition.
9. Cameroon
Cameroon, with a squad valued at €249.5 million, secured a World Cup playoff spot and will face stiff competition in Group F from Gabon and Ivory Coast. Featuring European talents like Bryan Mbeumo, Andre Onana, and Frank Anguissa, they aim to surpass their quarter-final exit in the last AFCON and contend for the title in Morocco.
8. Mali
Mali narrowly missed out on a World Cup playoff but looks strong in Group A, where Morocco is their only formidable opponent. They climbed three spots to 53rd in FIFA rankings, marking one of the biggest improvements among African teams.
7. Tunisia
With 13 goals scored and clean sheets in their last four matches, Tunisia has surged to 43rd in FIFA rankings. Under Sami Trabelsi, their balanced attack and defense make them a dark horse capable of defying expectations at AFCON 2025.
6. Ivory Coast
Already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the three-time AFCON champions boast a squad valued at €274.93 million. They face a challenging Group F with Gabon and Cameroon, where strong performances will be essential to advance.
5. Nigeria
Following a strong October with wins over Lesotho and Benin, Nigeria climbed to 41st in the FIFA rankings. After finishing as runners-up in the last AFCON, the Super Eagles are expected to reach at least the semi-finals. They compete in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
4. Algeria
Algeria, ranked 35th and unbeaten in their last nine matches, is favored to top Group E. They face Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea, where they are expected to secure comfortable victories.
3. Egypt
After an early exit in the previous AFCON, Egypt is on a 14-match unbeaten streak and has not lost in 18 months. Their strong form makes them a formidable opponent in Group C against Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
2. Senegal
Senegal, ranked 18th with a squad valued at €288 million, is arguably the most well-rounded team in Africa. They won seven of ten World Cup qualifiers and are expected to lead Group D against Benin, Botswana, and DR Congo. A semi-final finish is anticipated.
1. Morocco
As hosts and ranked 12th globally, Morocco enters AFCON 2025 as the clear favorites. The home advantage and passionate crowd support bolster their chances. The Moroccan women’s team recently clinched their 10th WAFCON title after a dramatic comeback against Nigeria.
The men’s squad, valued at €416.80 million-the highest in Africa-has won seven of their last nine matches. Grouped with Mali, Comoros, and Zambia, Walid Regragui’s team is poised to dominate the competition on home turf.
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