In a landmark move to boost global attendance and enhance the fan experience, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 have launched complimentary electronic visas (e-Visas) for international supporters.
Announced on November 14, 2025, in Rabat, this initiative waives fees for fans from over 80 countries that normally require visas to enter Morocco, eliminating a key barrier to participation in Africa’s most prestigious football tournament.
The 35th edition of AFCON, set to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, marks Morocco’s return as host nation for the first time since 1988, when the Atlas Lions won their only title. After Guinea lost hosting rights in 2023 due to infrastructure delays, Morocco was selected in September of that year to stage the event. The winter scheduling, unprecedented for AFCON, was strategically aligned with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup calendar to minimize conflicts with club seasons.
Global interest in the tournament has surged, with over 298,000 tickets sold across the first two sales phases launched in late September 2025. Fans from 135 countries secured seats, with Morocco’s group-stage matches selling out in under an hour.
France led international purchases with more than 109,000 tickets, driven by its large African diaspora and support for teams like Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Mali. Belgium followed with over 7,000, while the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Italy each bought between 1,000 and 6,000 tickets.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe hailed the e-Visa waiver as a step toward global inclusion: “We are opening the doors to Africa’s football renaissance. Morocco, a future co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, is ready to welcome the world.” The policy leverages Morocco’s national e-Visa system, introduced in 2022, and supports broader preparations, including Royal Air Maroc’s addition of over 660 flights to handle an expected influx of 500,000 visitors.
At the heart of the initiative is the YALLA mobile application, officially launched on September 25, 2025, as the all-in-one digital platform for AFCON fans. Available on Google Play, the App Store, and via www.yallamorocco.ma, YALLA integrates Fan ID registration, e-Visa applications, ticketing, real-time updates, and personalized itineraries. Inspired by successful Fan ID systems from the Qatar and Russia World Cups, it ensures secure, efficient access to stadiums and official fan zones.
To obtain the required documents, fans download YALLA, register for a mandatory Fan ID using biometric data and ticket confirmation, and—if from a visa-required country—apply for the free e-Visa in the same session. Approvals are typically processed within 72 hours. A 24/7 multilingual support line (+212 5 30 30 20 30) and email (info@yallamorocco.ma) are available for assistance. Both the Fan ID and e-Visa are compulsory for entry into Morocco and access to all match venues and official fan areas during the tournament.
From September 25, 2025, to January 25, 2026, citizens of eight African nations—including Guinea and Liberia will also require a temporary Electronic Travel Authorization (AEVM) via YALLA, further streamlining border management amid high visitor volumes.
The tournament will span six vibrant Moroccan cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fès—across nine modern stadiums, many upgraded for the 2030 World Cup. Rabat serves as the central hub, hosting the opening match between Morocco and Comoros on December 21 and the final on January 18 at the 69,500-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah. Other key venues include Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca (45,000), Grand Stade de Marrakech (45,000), and Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier (65,000).
With 52 matches featuring 24 qualified teams—including defending champions Ivory Coast and giants like Senegal, Egypt, and Nigeria—AFCON 2025 promises fierce competition on state-of-the-art hybrid pitches. CAF projects record revenues of $191.63 million, with a $112.84 million profit from broadcasting, sponsorships, and ticket sales, reinvested into grassroots football development across the continent.
As the third ticket sales phase opens on November 15, 2025, fans are urged to register via YALLA immediately to secure their place at this historic event. Morocco’s “Décollage 2025” airport upgrades and enhanced hospitality infrastructure underscore its ambition to position AFCON not just as a sporting spectacle, but as a cultural and economic milestone.