AFCON 2025 : Who will win ?

On this Tuesday, January 13, 2026, as the Africa Cup of Nations enters its final stretch with the semi-final lineup now set, all eyes are on the host country, Morocco, which has emerged as the overwhelming favorite to succeed Ivory Coast as continental champions.

The Atlas Lions, fueled by fervent national support and world-class infrastructure, possess a colossal psychological advantage, but they will have to be wary of Nigeria’s Super Eagles who, after narrowly eliminating Algeria in the quarter-finals on January 10, boast a terrifying attacking force led by Victor Osimhen at the peak of his powers.

Morocco’s victory seems the most likely scenario, however, as Walid Regragui’s team has reached exceptional tactical maturity, perfectly integrating talents like Brahim Diaz into a core group that already reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, thus offering a rare balance between an ironclad defense and technical creativity superior to that of its rivals.

Facing them, Senegal remains a formidable contender thanks to its experience in major tournaments and a proven defensive discipline, while the surprise of this tournament, Guinea, is boldly seizing its opportunity with an uninhibited style of football that could punish the slightest lapse in concentration from the established favorites.

Ultimately, while individual talent is present in all the semi-finalists, it is the depth of the Moroccan squad and the ability to handle the pressure of the Rabat stadium that should tip the scales, making this edition the stage for a historic triumph for the Atlas Lions on their home soil on January 18th.