The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee have unveiled the official mascot for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The mascot, named Assad, was presented on Monday and is inspired by the Atlas Lion, one of Morocco's most recognizable national symbols.
AFCON 2025, sponsored by TotalEnergies, will officially kick off on December 21, 2025, and run until January 18, 2026.
According to CAF, the name Assad, which means lion in Arabic, represents strength, pride, unity and cultural authenticity, values the football body said resonate with fans across the continent.
"As an ambassador for the tournament, Assad embodies the joy, passion, and energy that define Africa's most prestigious football competition," CAF said in an official statement. "He will help drive emotional connection and engage audiences of all ages, particularly children and families who form the heart of football culture."
CAF added that the mascot will play a central role in fan engagement activities across stadiums, fan zones, community events, and global promotional campaigns. Assad will also feature prominently in CAF's digital content strategy.
Describing the mascot's design, CAF explained that Assad appears as a friendly, youthful lion with expressive features that reflect the warmth, creativity and diversity of Africa. His colour palette aligns with the official AFCON 2025 brand to ensure a consistent tournament identity.
CAF noted that Assad's relevance will extend beyond the Morocco 2025 tournament. The mascot is expected to remain part of CAF's grassroots programmes, youth football initiatives, and future digital storytelling efforts.
"With Assad leading the way, AFCON 2025 is set to deliver an unforgettable experience that celebrates unity, pride and the power of African football," the statement concluded.
FIFA had earlier announced December 15 as the mandatory release date for clubs to allow players join their national teams ahead of the tournament.