U20 AFCON 2025 Quarterfinals: Qualified countries and fixtures

Here are the countries that have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2025 U20 AFCON as well as fixtures to be played.

The group stage of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Egypt has concluded, and the eight countries that have successfully navigated their way to the quarterfinals are now confirmed.

Following a series of compelling matches, these nations will proceed directly to the knockout phase, with no Round of 16 preceding it.

Teams that have qualified for the quarterfinals ofThe eight teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals are:

Egypt (Hosts)MoroccoNigeriaSenegalGhanaSouth AfricaSierra LeoneDR CongoThe journey to the quarter-finals saw some dominant performances and tight finishes. Hosts Egypt secured their spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. South Africa topped Group A after a 1-1 draw against Zambia, with Sierra Leone finishing as the group’s runner-up.

Morocco led Group B and will be joined in the next round by Nigeria. Defending champions Senegal finished second in Group C, edged on goal difference by Ghana who topped the group. DR Congo also qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.

U20 AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal fixturesThe quarter-final matches are scheduled to commence on Monday, May 12, 2025, and promise thrilling encounters as these eight teams vie for a place in the semi-finals and closer to the coveted U-20 AFCON title.

The fixtures are as follows:

Nigeria vs SenegalGhana vs EgyptMorocco vs Sierra LeoneSouth Africa vs DR CongoWhy No Round of 16 in the U-20 AFCON 2025?Unlike some other major football tournaments that feature a Round of 16, the U-20 AFCON 2025 progresses directly from the group stage to the quarter-finals. This is due to the tournament’s format, which involves a smaller number of participating teams.

For the 2025 edition, 13 teams were divided into three groups: one group of five teams (Group A) and two groups of four teams (Groups B and C). The format is designed such that the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams from across all groups, advance directly to the quarter-finals.

This structure efficiently narrows down the competition to the final eight teams after the group stage, setting the stage for the decisive knockout matches. The absence of a Round of 16 ensures a more direct pathway to the quarter-finals for the best-performing teams from the group stage.

The U-20 AFCON also serves as a crucial qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning the right to represent Africa on the global stage in Chile later this year.