The Kingdom of Morocco is set to host a match between the Moroccan national team and their Comoros Islands counterparts in the opening game, providing the tournament with an early dose of excitement months before its kickoff. This edition comes as part of Morocco's efforts to deliver an exceptional organization for the continent's biggest football event.

The tournament finals will begin on December 21, 2025, and conclude on January 18, 2026, within a packed competitive calendar expected to feature strong clashes from the early rounds. The opening ceremony is also anticipated to receive wide attention thanks to the extensive preparations undertaken by the organizing authorities.

The draw placed the “Atlas Lions” in Group A alongside Comoros, Zambia, and Mali, a group that combines different playing styles, enhancing the intensity of the competition for the two qualification spots to the next round.

The Moroccan team will start its journey facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in a match expected to attract a large crowd, especially with the local fans eager to support their team from the very beginning.

This match, scheduled for Sunday, December 21, 2025, represents the first step in the Moroccan team’s path towards competing for the title, amid great hopes to capitalize on the home advantage and fan support to deliver a start that reflects the team’s readiness to reach the advanced stages.