The Africa Cup of Nations is taking place in Morocco and will crown the continent’s premier international football team.
However, with glory also comes sorrow, as there cannot be light without the darkness. Only one team can cross the finish line at the end of its AFCON journey, with all others falling just short of the goal.
The top two finishers in each group earn automatic passage to the knockout stage, while the top four third-place finishers also advance. However, the bottom two third-place finishers plus all fourth-place finishers are sent home. From there, the knockout stage is single-elimination, with half the participants in each round bounced from the competition.
The Sporting News brings you a look at what teams have been sent packing from the tournament as each stage progresses.
MORE: A full look at the standings, bracket, fixtures, and matchups for AFCON 2025
Teams eliminated from AFCON 2025
The first team eliminated from AFCON 2025 was Botswana, who were mathematically out of range through two group stage matches. Equatorial Guinea and Gabon followed soon after, making it three nations sent packing after the first two rounds of play at the competition.
| Nation | FIFA rank | Stage Eliminated | Result |
| Botswana | 138 | Group D | |
| Equatorial Guinea | 97 | Group E | |
| Gabon | 78 | Group F |
AFCON 2025 knockout stage schedule, fixtures, results
The top two teams from each group, plus the three best third-place nations, comprise the 16 sides that enter the knockout stage.
Round of 16
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group D winners vs. 3rd-place B/E/F | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group A runners-up vs. Group C runners-up | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group A winners vs. 3rd-place C/D/E | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group B runners-up vs. Group F runners-up | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group B winners vs. 3rd-place A/C/D | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group C winners vs. 3rd-place A/B/F | Fez Stadium, Fez |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Group E winners vs. Group D runners-up | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 6, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Group F winners vs. Group E runners-up | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
Quarterfinals
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners RO16 2 vs. Winners RO16 1 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 9, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 4 vs. Winners RO16 3 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners RO16 7 vs. Winners RO16 6 | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Jan. 10, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners RO16 5 vs. Winners RO16 8 | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
Semifinals
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Winners QF 1 vs. Winners QF 4 | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. | Winners QF 3 vs. Winners QF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
Third-place playoff
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Losers SF 1 vs. Losers SF 2 | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
Final
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
| Jan. 18, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Winners SF 1 vs. Winners SF 2 | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
