Channel 4 to broadcast Africa Cup of Nations 2025 for free

Channel 4 has won exclusive rights to broadcast the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, bringing the tournament to free-to-air in the UK for the first time. 

The AFCON kicks-off on Sunday 21 December 2025 in Morrocco and will see 24 teams contesting 52 matches across nine stadiums.

All matches will be live across Channel 4’s network, airing on Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Streaming and Channel 4 Sport YouTube. 

The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 will feature a host of Premier League stars, including Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush representing Egypt.

Egypt take on Zimbabwe on Monday, 22 December at 5pm and South Africa on Friday, 26 December at 3pm. 

Other Premier League favourites expected to take part in the tournament include the Manchester United trio of Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (holders Côte d’Ivoire) and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco); Everton’s Senegalese duo Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye; Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, both playing for Nigeria; West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo); Crystal Palace attacker Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) and Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou (Côte d’Ivoire). 

Channel 4’s coverage of the 35th African Cup of Nations is produced by IMG. The rights deal was facilitated in partnership with IMG, CAF’s international media rights and sponsorship agency. 

CAF general secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba said: “The agreement between CAF and Channel 4 is historic in many ways and it ensures that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will live in each and every household in the UK for the first time in the history of the competition. 

“It affirms AFCON’s position as one of the prime and much-sought after assets in global football. On behalf of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, I welcome Channel 4 to the CAF family and we look forward to a successful partnership that will deliver growth for both parties.”    

Pete Andrews, head of sport, Channel 4 added: “Bringing the excitement and drama of the CAF African Cup of Nations exclusively to UK Free-to-Air television for the first time is such a compelling proposition for Channel 4. So many Premier League stars will be playing in the tournament and having Liverpool legend Mo Salah on Channel 4 on Boxing Day, when traditional Premier League football coverage has been reduced elsewhere, means football fans will still be able to get their thrill of festive fixtures.”