How Prize Money Works at AFCON 2025
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which kicks off in Morocco on December 21, is not only the continent’s biggest football spectacle but also its most lucrative edition to date.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed a total prize pool of $32 million, ensuring that all 24 participating nations will receive financial rewards regardless of their performance.
Every team begins the tournament with a guaranteed minimum of $500,000, awarded to sides that finish bottom of their group. Teams eliminated in third place will earn $700,000, while those reaching the Round of 16 will collect $800,000.
The financial incentives rise sharply in the knockout stages: quarter-finalists will pocket $1.3 million, and semi-finalists will receive $2.5 million each.
The biggest payouts are reserved for the finalists. The runner-up will earn $4 million, while the AFCON 2025 champions will walk away with $7 million, cementing the tournament as the richest in African football history.
CAF introduced this expanded prize structure in 2023, representing a 40 percent increase compared to previous editions. The move was designed to reward participation more broadly and to support federations struggling with finances, travel, and player bonuses.
For nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, where football associations often face financial strain, the prize money offers not just prestige but vital relief.
With Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Nigeria among the favourites, the stakes are higher than ever.
Yet even for outsiders, the financial rewards of a deep run could transform the game back home. As the continent prepares for kickoff, AFCON 2025 promises drama on the pitch and millions at stake off it.
