Story byFifteen different countries have won the Africa Cup of Nations since it was first played in 1957 []BBCFri, December 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM UTC·4 min readThe 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on 21 December and lasts until 18 January 2026. Ivory Coast are the defending champions, having beaten Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 final on home soil to claim their third continental title. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 24 competing sides are allowed to select up to 28 players for the 2025 finals. The deadline for naming squads is Thursday, 11 December and the mandatory release date for clubs to make players available is Monday, 15 December. AlgeriaTo be announced. AngolaGoalkeepers: Neblu (Primero Agosto), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Dominique (Etoile Carouge). Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), To Carneiro (AS FAR), Nurio Fortuna (Volos FC), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Buatu (Gil Vicente), Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Lyon). Midfielders: Beni Mukendi (Victoria SC), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrumspor), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor). AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementForwards: Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Manuel Benson (Swansea City), Milson (Crvena Zvezda), Chico Banza (Zamalek), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Ary Papel (Al Akhdar), Mabululu (Al Ahli Tripoli), Mbala Nzola (Pisa), Zine (AEK Athens). BeninGoalkeepers: Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger United), Saturnin Allagbe (FC Chauray), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars). Defenders: Attidjikou Samadou (Smouha), Charlemagne Azongnitode (AC Oulo), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton Sport), David Kiki (FCSB), Abdoul Rachid Moumini (Sumgayit), Tamimou Ouorou (Unattached), Yohan Roche (Petrolul Ploiesti), Mohamed Tijani (Yverson Dport), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad). AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMidfielders: Matteo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula), Mariano Ahouangbo (NK Olimpija), Gislain Ahoudo (AS Gabes), Sessi D'Almeida (Neftchi), Dodo Dokou (Leixoes), Hassane Imourane (Grasshoppers), Rodrigue Kossi (Hassania). Forwards: Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs), Rodolfo Aloko (NK Kustosija), Romaric Amoussou (ASEC Mimosas), Jodel Dossou (Pays du Valois), Andreas Hountondji (Burnley), Steve Mounie (Alanyaspor), Junior Olaitan (Goztepe), Razack Rachidou (NK Kustosija), Felipe Santos (Araz-Nakhchivan), Olatoundji Tessilimi (SJK Seinajoki), Aiyegun Tosin (Lorient). BotswanaTo be announced. Burkina FasoTo be announced. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCameroonGoalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier), Edouard Sombang (Colombe Du Dja). Defenders: Samuel Kotto (Gent), Gerzino Nyamsi (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al Duhail), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes), Christopher Wooh (Spartak Moscow), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient). Midfielders: Martin Ndzie (Rapid Vienna), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Arthur Avom (Lorient), Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe (Brest), Brice Ambina (Valerenga), Jean Junior Onana (Genoa), Olivier Kemen (Istanbul Basaksehir). AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementForwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Christian Bassogog (Al Okhdood), Georges-Kevin N'koudou (Al Diriyah), Danny Namaso (Auxerre), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante), Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Soko (Almeria). ComorosTo be announced. DR CongoGoalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege). Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw). AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMidfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussam.