Get ready to swap your traditional holiday plans for the beautiful game, because the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is here to crash the festive season. This biennial showcase lands in Morocco from mid-December through mid-January, pitting the continent’s best football teams against each other.
Last time out, Ivory Coast pulled off a fairytale run on home soil to lift the trophy, and you can bet the Atlas Lions are plotting a similar script. They have the home-field advantage and a superstar squad led by dynamic PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi. But the path to complete victory won’t be easy. You have Egypt looking to reclaim its throne, Senegal eager to remind everyone of its dominance, and a hungry Nigeria side desperate to go one step further than its runner-up finish in 2023.
Whether you’re rooting for an underdog or a continental giant, you won’t want to miss a single minute of the action. That’s why I’ve put together this complete guide on where you can watch AFCON in the U.S. Below, I’ll break down the channels, streaming services, and pro tips you need to watch Africa Cup of Nations matches live on TV.
What channel shows the Africa Cup of Nations?
You can watch the entire 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on beIN SPORTS networks in the U.S. While most group-stage matches kick off one after another, the final round of group games will happen simultaneously. In those cases, the additional matches will air on beIN SPORTS’ overflow channels.
If you prefer Spanish-language coverage, select matchups will air on beIN SPORTS en Español.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations TV schedule
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. While European club managers might be groaning about losing their biggest stars during the busy holiday fixtures, for us viewers, it’s a gift. We get a month of high-intensity international soccer right in the middle of winter.
To help you keep track of the action, I’ve compiled the complete AFCON TV schedule below. It’s broken down by group stage and knockout rounds so you can easily find the exact start times and U.S. channel listings for every match.
Africa Cup of Nations group stage
| Match | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | |||
| Morocco vs. Comoros | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Mali vs. Zambia | Monday, Dec. 22 | 9:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| South Africa vs. Angola | Monday, Dec. 22 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| Egypt vs. Zimbabwe | Monday, Dec. 22 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Congo DR vs. Benin | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Senegal vs. Botswana | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 10:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Nigeria vs. Tanzania | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 12:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Tunisia vs. Uganda | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Burkina Faso vs. Equatorial Guinea | Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 7:30 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Algeria vs. Sudan | Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique | Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 12:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Cameroon vs. Gabon | Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Matchday 2 | |||
| Angola vs. Zimbabwe | Friday, Dec. 26 | 7:30 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Egypt vs. South Africa | Friday, Dec. 26 | 10:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Zambia vs. Comoros | Friday, Dec. 26 | 12:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Morocco vs. Mali | Friday, Dec. 26 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Benin vs. Botswana | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 7:30 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Senegal vs. Congo DR | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 10:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Uganda vs. Tanzania | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 12:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Nigeria vs. Tunisia | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Gabon vs. Mozambique | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 7:30 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Equatorial Guinea vs. Sudan | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 10:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Algeria vs. Burkina Faso | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 12:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Matchday 3 | |||
| Angola vs. Egypt | Monday, Dec. 29 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Zimbabwe vs. South Africa | Monday, Dec. 29 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Comoros vs. Mali | Monday, Dec. 29 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Zambia vs. Morocco | Monday, Dec. 29 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Tanzania vs. Tunisia | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Uganda vs. Nigeria | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Benin vs. Senegal | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Botswana vs. Congo DR | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Equitorial Guinea vs. Algeria | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Sudan vs. Burkina Faso | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 11:00 a.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Gabon vs. Ivory Coast | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Mozambique vs. Cameroon | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
Data effective as of post date.
Africa Cup of Nations knockout round
| Match | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | |||
| TBD | Saturday, Jan. 3 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Sunday, Jan. 4 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Monday, Jan. 5 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Monday, Jan. 5 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Quarterfinals | |||
| TBD | Friday, Jan. 9 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Friday, Jan. 9 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Saturday, Jan. 10 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Semifinals | |||
| TBD | Sunday, Jan. 14 | Noon | beIN SPORTS |
| TBD | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 2:30 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Third-place match | |||
| TBD | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
| Final | |||
| TBD | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 2:00 p.m. | beIN SPORTS |
Data effective as of post date.
Best Africa Cup of Nations TV plans
Finding a way to watch the Africa Cup of Nations in the U.S. comes down to one thing: finding a provider that carries beIN SPORTS. The network holds the exclusive rights to the tournament, but it remains notoriously absent from some of the biggest TV platforms.
For years, the streaming service Fanatiz was the undisputed king of cheap beIN SPORTS access. But other providers have since launched competitive standalone packages to entice sign-ups with leaner channel lineups and sharper pricing. I’ve reviewed every option on the market, so read on to see my top recommendations and find the plan that fits your budget.
Best overall: Fubo
Fubo is the premier choice for any fan who wants the full AFCON experience. It’s the most straightforward option because beIN SPORTS is included right in the standard Pro plan. This package also gets you a massive lineup of other essentials, such as ESPN, FS1, and CBS Sports Network, making it a full cable replacement rather than just a soccer app.
The real MVP feature here, though, is the unlimited cloud DVR. Since many AFCON matches air early in the morning for us stateside fans, being able to record everything and watch it later makes all the difference.
The catch? Fubo is pricey. Its Pro plan is $73.99 a month, and that’s before the dreaded regional sports fee, which can tack on up to $16.99 a month depending on your zip code. While Fubo is a solid, all-in-one service, that hidden cost is definitely a yellow card.
Cheapest: Sling TV
If you want to watch the Africa Cup of Nations without paying for a mountain of channels you’ll never watch, Sling TV is the answer. The service offers a standalone Soccer Pass subscription for just $5.99 a month—no base plan required. This remarkably cheap add-on unlocks every beIN SPORTS channel, giving you a front-row seat to the entire tournament for less than the price of a fancy latte.
I’ve always appreciated Sling TV because it’s a no-frills service that just works. That sentiment is backed by our 2026 customer satisfaction survey, where Sling earned a respectable 82% rating for user experience—beating out rivals like YouTube TV and Fubo.
Sure, Sling TV doesn’t have the flashy interface of its competitors. But over my three years of testing, its live streams have always been rock-solid. If your only goal is to catch Salah and Osimhen chasing glory in Morocco, this is hands down the most cost-effective route.
To watch AFCON matches, you need a TV provider that carries beIN SPORTS. While the channel isn’t available on every major service (most notably Xfinity and DIRECTV), you still have options. I’ve put together a list of 13 popular cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services in the table below to help you find the right fit.
| Provider | Type | Price | beIN SPORTS | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| Stream with DIRECTV | Streaming | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read Stream with DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fanatiz | Streaming | $12.99/mo. | ✔ | View Plans for Fanatiz |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the Africa Cup of Nations internationally
For international fans, AFCON broadcast rights are a mix of exclusive pay-TV deals and surprising free-to-air wins. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) sells global media rights through various agencies. That means you might find the tournament on a premium sports channel in one country and a completely free broadcast network in another.
To help you find your local feed, I’ve compiled a quick list of official AFCON broadcasters confirmed for major territories outside the U.S.
Africa Cup of Nations broadcasters by country
- Australia (beIN SPORTS)
- Brazil (Band TV)
- Canada (beIN SPORTS)
- France (beIN SPORTS)
- Germany (Sportdigital)
- India (FanCode)
- Italy (Sportitalia)
- Middle East & North Africa (beIN SPORTS)
- Netherlands (Ziggo Sport)
- Nigeria (SuperSport)
- Portugal (Sport TV)
- South Africa (SuperSport)
- Spain (Movistar)
- United Kingdom (Channel 4)
How to watch the Africa Cup of Nations FAQ
Can I watch AFCON for free?
Unfortunately, there's no legal way to watch all of AFCON 2025 for free. But you can sign up for Fubo's five-day free trial to stream select matches without paying.
Where can I watch the AFCON final?
In the U.S., you can watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on beIN SPORTS. It'll take place on Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 p.m. ET. live from Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Can I watch AFCON on Amazon Prime Video?
No, you can't watch Africa Cup of Nations games on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. You might see conflicting reports online because Prime Video does offer the channel as an add-on in other countries (like Australia).
How can I find bars showing AFCON matches?
Most sports bars use DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, which doesn't offer beIN SPORTS. Instead, I recommend searching for a dedicated soccer pub or an international restaurant in your city that may use an alternative provider like Spectrum Business. Just be sure to call ahead to confirm they're showing the match before you go.
What is the AFCON prize money?
The 2025 champion will take home a record $7 million, a 40% increase from the previous tournament. In total, CAF is distributing a massive $32 million prize pool, ensuring that even teams knocked out in the quarter-finals walk away with $1.3 million.
Why you should trust us
For this Africa Cup of Nations guide, CableTV.com Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa cross-referenced official broadcaster schedules to gather U.S. channel listings. He then organized that information into a reader-friendly format to help fans easily navigate the tournament on TV. Finally, Taylor determined his top provider recommendations by evaluating channel availability, pricing, and overall soccer coverage against CableTV.com’s existing reviews.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
