By the time the sun dips behind the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier already feels like a city mid kickoff.
Just hours after Rabat fired the ceremonial starting gun for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, the northern port city has begun to hum with its own distinct rhythm — equal parts football fever, cultural pride and continental expectation.
From the winding alleys of the ancient medina to the wide sweep of the modern waterfront, Tangier is steadily stepping into the AFCON spotlight, preparing to host its first match on Tuesday and some of the tournament’s most decisive moments in the days ahead.
A city dressed for Africa
The signs are everywhere. National flags ripple along major roads. Official AFCON banners line key junctions. Atlas Lions jerseys dominate cafés and street corners. Football, always close to the city’s soul, has taken centre stage.
Perhaps most striking is the growing presence of Senegalese supporters. Draped in green, yellow and red, they have transformed public squares and hotel lobbies into informal fan zones — trading chants, predictions and friendly banter while absorbing Tangier’s unmistakable character.
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Journalists from across Africa and beyond have also begun to settle in, laptops open and cameras ready, as Tangier prepares to host matches that could shape the destiny of the 35th edition of the continent’s biggest football festival.
The stadium at the centre of it all
At the heart of Tangier’s AFCON story stands the Grand Stadium of Tangier — a modern colossus with a capacity of 68,000, and a venue built for nights that linger long after the final whistle.
Opened in 2011, the stadium has already earned international credibility, having hosted the FIFA Club World Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and major internationals involving Morocco against elite opposition. In recent days, final inspections have been carried out quietly but meticulously — pitch conditioning, media installations and layered security plans all pointing to a venue ready for its moment.
Its location southwest of the city, close to Ibn Battouta International Airport and major transport routes, has made it a logistical asset, allowing teams, officials and supporters to move with ease.
Big matches, bigger moments
Tangier’s role in AFCON 2025 is far from ceremonial.
The city will host three Group D matches, beginning with Senegal’s clash against Botswana on Tuesday, followed by fixtures involving DR Congo and Benin. Beyond the group stage, Tangier’s importance only grows — a Round of 16 tie, a quarter final and one of the tournament’s most anticipated semi finals are all scheduled for the city.
These are the games where tournaments tilt, where legends are made and heartbreak is delivered in real time to millions watching across the continent.
Where football meets history
Away from the stadium lights, Tangier offers visiting fans something few host cities can — a sense of place shaped by centuries of movement, trade and storytelling.
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Set where Africa meets Europe, the city is a cultural crossroads. Supporters wander through the medina’s narrow alleys, gather at the Grand Socco and Petit Socco, or stroll along the Corniche where the Mediterranean and Atlantic collide. Cafés buzz late into the night, conversations shifting effortlessly between football tactics and travel tales.
Efficient transport links — from the high speed Al Boraq train to ferry connections with Spain and a busy international airport — have turned Tangier into a natural gateway for AFCON travellers. Hotels and restaurants are already reporting strong demand, adding a festive energy and a welcome economic lift.
A city ready for its chapter
As Senegal prepare to open their campaign and knockout football edges closer, Tangier stands ready — not merely as a host venue, but as a living showcase of Morocco’s organisational ambition and Africa’s shared love for the game.
With flags flying, supporters singing and the Grand Stadium poised for action, Tangier is not waiting to be introduced to AFCON 2025.
It has already taken its place in the story.
