‎The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled a major boost in prize money for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, signaling its ambition to enhance the tournament’s competitiveness, prestige, and global recognition.
‎CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced that the champions of AFCON Morocco 2025 will take home a record $10 million. The announcement was made during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on the eve of the tournament’s kickoff.
‎AFCON Morocco 2025 is set to take place from Sunday, December 21, 2025, to Sunday, January 18, 2026.
‎ The new prize represents a 43 percent increase over the previous edition in 2023, where Côte d’Ivoire claimed $7 million after lifting the trophy.
‎The growth in prize money over the past four years has been remarkable: winners of the TotalEnergies AFCON Cameroon 2021 received $5 million, which rose to $7 million in 2023, and now reaches $10 million for the 2025 edition.
‎CAF also revealed the payouts for other top-performing teams. The runners-up will earn $4 million, while the two losing semi-finalists will each pocket $2.5 million. These enhancements are designed to reward excellence, incentivize performance, and further elevate the tournament’s stature within international football.
‎In addition to the prize money announcement, Dr. Motsepe disclosed a significant change to the African football calendar. Starting with the 2032 edition, AFCON will adopt a four-year cycle, becoming a quadrennial tournament. The shift is aimed at aligning African football with global standards, allowing national teams and players more preparation time, and improving the overall quality of the competition.
‎CAF’s decision to substantially increase AFCON 2025’s prize pool comes amid growing global interest in African football.
‎The move not only boosts the tournament’s appeal to players and fans alike but also strengthens the profile of African football on the world stage. It underscores CAF’s commitment to investing in the game’s development and ensuring that Africa’s premier football competition continues to grow in stature and prestige.
