Who Qualifies for the Last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?

Why every goal counts in the AFCON 2025 group stages as teams fight to reach the Last 16

The decisive phase of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage is here. On Monday, the third and final matchday of AFCON 2025 kicks off, setting up three days of tension, drama, and fine margins. By the end of Wednesday, after 12 simultaneous, nerve-shredding matches, the picture will be clear: 16 teams advance to the knockout rounds, while eight are eliminated.

Who qualifies directly for the Last 16?

A total of 24 teams began the tournament, divided into six groups. The qualification rule is simple at the top level:

The top two teams in each group (12 total) automatically qualify for the Last 16
The knockout phase begins on Saturday, January 3

To maintain sporting integrity and avoid any competitive advantage, all matches on the final group matchday are played simultaneously.

The action begins with Group B on Monday, December 29, at 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT, featuring:

Zimbabwe vs. South Africa — live on beIN SPORTS
Angola vs. Egypt — live on beIN SPORTS XTRA

Already-qualified Egypt will still play a crucial role, as their result could decide who joins them in the knockout rounds.

How are ties decided?

AFCON’s tie-breaking rules add another layer of tension. When teams finish level on points, the order is decided by

Head-to-head points
Goal difference
Goals scored

With teams playing at the same time, situations can change minute by minute — making every goal, concession, and late strike potentially decisive.

Who else can reach the knockout stages?

Beyond the 12 automatic qualifiers, four additional teams will progress:

The four best third-placed teams across the six groups

This is where the margins become razor-thin. Every goal scored — and every goal conceded — across all group matches can determine who survives.

History offers a powerful reminder of how crucial this pathway can be. At AFCON 2023, hosts Ivory Coast finished third in their group and scraped through by a single point — only to go on and win the entire tournament in one of AFCON’s most remarkable turnarounds.

Based on recent editions: