CAF UNVEILS ‘ASSAD’ AS OFFICIAL MASCOT FOR AFCON MOROCCO 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee, has unveiled the official mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, named Assad.

CAF disclosed this in a statement released on its website on Monday, describing Assad as a symbolic figure inspired by the Atlas lion, one of Morocco’s most iconic national emblems. The name “Assad,” which means lion in Arabic, was chosen to reflect strength, pride and cultural authenticity that resonates across Morocco and the African continent.

According to CAF, the tournament will kick off on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and run until Sunday, January 18, 2026.

The football body explained that Assad will serve as a major ambassador for the competition, embodying the joy, passion and energy that define Africa’s most prestigious football tournament.

“He will play a crucial role in building an emotional connection and engaging audiences of all ages, especially children and families, who are central to football’s culture and its future,” CAF stated.

CAF added that the mascot will take a leading role in fan engagement activities across stadiums, fan zones and community events, while also supporting global marketing and promotional campaigns, enriching digital content and interactive experiences.

On the design of Assad, CAF said the mascot features a friendly, youthful lion with expressive features and an energetic personality, reflecting Africa’s warmth, creativity and diversity. The colour palette and overall style were also crafted to align seamlessly with the official AFCON Morocco 2025 brand identity.

Beyond the 2025 tournament, CAF disclosed that Assad has been designed as a long-term ambassador for African football and will feature in grassroots and youth development programmes, school and community football initiatives, as well as future digital storytelling projects.

“Assad aims to inspire and connect with the next generation across the continent,” the statement noted.

CAF concluded that the introduction of the mascot marks a significant milestone in shaping the identity and cultural impact of the tournament.

“With Assad leading the way, the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience, celebrating unity, pride and the power of African football,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, FIFA had earlier announced December 15, 2025, as the official release date for clubs to make players available for the AFCON tournament.