🌍AFCON Preview: Round of 16 knockout Begins
January 3, 2026
281d agoThe knockout stage begins on Saturday, January 3, 2026, and runs through Tuesday, January 6, with two matches played each day. The first game kicks off at 16:00 GMT /
17:00 local time, followed by the second at 19:00 GMT / 20:00 local time.
⚽ Match Schedule and Key Details
Saturday, January 3
· Senegal vs Sudan (16:00 GMT, Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier)
· Mali vs Tunisia (19:00 GMT, Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca)
Sunday, January 4
· Morocco vs Tanzania (16:00 GMT, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat)
· South Africa vs Cameroon (19:00 GMT, Al Barid / Al Medina Stadium, Rabat)
Monday, January 5
· Egypt vs Benin (16:00 GMT, Adrar Stadium, Agadir)
· Nigeria vs Mozambique (19:00 GMT, Fez Stadium, Fez)
Tuesday, January 6
· Algeria vs DR Congo (16:00 GMT, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat)
· Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso (19:00 GMT, Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh)
👀 What to Watch For
Here is a quick look at the context and key storylines for the upcoming matches:
Saturday, January 3
· Senegal vs Sudan: The 2022 champions and pre-tournament favorites face the lowest-ranked team left, with Senegal missing their suspended captain.
· Mali vs Tunisia: A clash of familiar foes where neither team was spectacular in the group stage, making this a chance for either to reset and advance.
Sunday, January 4
· Morocco vs Tanzania: The host nation and top-ranked African team faces a historic opponent, as Tanzania reaches the knockouts for the first time in 45 years.
· South Africa vs Cameroon: A tactical battle where South Africa's coach faces the team he led to the title in 2017.
Monday, January 5
· Egypt vs Benin: The record seven-time champions, seeking their first title since 2010, are favored against a Benin team that just earned its first-ever AFCON win.
· Nigeria vs Mozambique: One of the tournament's most impressive teams so far, with a perfect group record, takes on a Mozambique side making its first knockout appearance.
Tuesday, January 6
· Algeria vs DR Congo: Arguably the most intriguing tie, pitting two in-form, unbeaten sides against each other in what is expected to be a tight tactical battle.
· Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso: The defending champions take on a motivated regional rival in a West African derby that is considered difficult to predict.
🔮 The Path to the Final
The winner of each match advances to the quarter-finals, scheduled for January 9 and 10. The tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
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