The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled a significant boost to the prize structure for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, with the winning team set to receive a record $10 million. This marks a 43% increase from the $7 million awarded to champions Côte d’Ivoire in the 2023 edition and represents a doubling of the winner's prize over four years, from $5 million in 2021 to the current figure.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe made the announcement on December 20, 2025, following a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat, Morocco—just one day before the tournament's opening match. The decision underscores CAF's strategic efforts to enhance the commercial value, competitiveness, and global attractiveness of Africa's flagship football competition.
In addition to the champion's prize, runners-up will receive $4 million, while each of the two semi-finalists will earn $2.5 million. These increments are part of a broader initiative to reward excellence and invest more substantially in national team football across the continent.
Motsepe highlighted the rapid growth in prize money as evidence of CAF's progress under his leadership. "We have established what is truly the most exciting new framework for football on the continent," he stated during a press conference. "Recall that the winner's prize was once below $5 million. We increased it to $7 million, and now, we are taking it to the $10 million mark."
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 kicks off on December 21, 2025, with hosts Morocco facing Comoros in the opening fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The tournament concludes with the final on January 18, 2026, spanning six cities and nine venues across the country. This edition is notable for being the first AFCON held during the winter period, overlapping with Christmas and New Year, a shift aimed at avoiding conflicts with European club seasons.
Twenty-four teams are competing in the 35th edition of the biennial tournament, divided into six groups. Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, seven-time winners Egypt (led by Mohamed Salah), hosts Morocco (featuring stars like Achraf Hakimi), Nigeria (with Victor Osimhen), and Senegal are among the favorites. The group stage runs until early January, followed by knockout rounds culminating in the final.
This prize increase aligns with CAF's ongoing financial reforms since Motsepe's election in 2021, which have seen substantial investments in competitions, development programs, and member associations. The organization has also committed $1 million to each of its 54 national federations to support grassroots and infrastructural growth.
The enhanced rewards are expected to intensify competition and attract greater international interest, further elevating AFCON's status alongside major global tournaments. With increased broadcasting deals and sponsorships, CAF aims to achieve financial self-sustainability while professionalizing African football.
As the tournament begins amid high anticipation, the record prize pot adds extra motivation for teams vying for continental glory on Moroccan soil.
