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How to Watch African Cup of Nations in Ireland [Free Live Stream | 2026]

Disclosure: We research and test the best streaming options for viewers in Ireland. If you subscribe or purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON) is set to be a thrilling tournament in Morocco, running from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. With 24 teams competing across nine venues, the battle for continental glory will culminate in Rabat.

As the host nation and one of the tournament favourites, Morocco is determined to secure their second AFCON title since 1976. With key players like Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat, the Atlas Lions are poised to make a strong push for glory.

You can watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland for free on Channel 4 and New World TV, while beIN Sports is a premium way to enjoy all the games. 

However, these channels are unavailable in Ireland due to geo-restrictions. Surfshark is the best VPN to bypass the restrictions and stream AFCON live in Ireland.

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When and Where is AFCON 2025

  • Dates: 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026
  • No. of Teams: 24
  • Host Country: Morocco
  • How to watch: Channel 4 (UK), New World TV (Africa), & beIN Sports (US)

How to Watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland for Free

For the first time, AFCON 2025 will be available free-to-air on Channel 4 in the UK and Ireland. All 52 matches will stream live at no cost to viewers. This groundbreaking deal brings AFCON to UK households.

Additionally, coverage will be available on Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, the Channel 4 streaming service, and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel, providing multiple ways to catch the action, highlights, and key moments.

Here’s how you can watch African Cup of Nations in Ireland for free:

Step 1: Open the Channel 4 website and click on Sign in

Step 2: Sign in if you have an account, or else click on Register to create a new one

Step 3: Enter your email and create a password

Step 4: Add your personal details

Step 5: Click Register

Step 6: From the homepage, go to Live TV and click TV Guide

Step 7: Choose a match from the broadcast lineup and enjoy free live streaming!


Free & Premium Ways to Watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland

The AFCON is one of the major football tournaments in Africa. The event is a live broadcast worldwide on several free and premium sports streaming services. 

The premium service requires a subscription, but you can stream for free without creating an account. Below are my most recommended ways to watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland.


2. New World TV (Free)

New World TV is a free-to-air channel that has broadcast rights to all the games of AFCON 2025 in Sub-Saharan Africa

The channel is geo-restricted and is only available in Sub-Saharan regions, including South Africa. You must connect to the South African server of Surfshark to enjoy all AFCON ‘25 games for free.


3. beIN Sports (Premium)

beIN Sports owns the streaming rights of all matches of the African Cup of Nations 2025 in several regions, including MENA, Asia Pacific regions, France, and the United States.

You can enjoy beIN Sports live with the beIN Connect account. The subscription to beIN varies according to region. Plus, you can watch AFCON 2025 with beIN Connect pay-per-view: $6.99/match or $69.99 for the full tournament.

beIN Sports is also available on US-based live streaming services, such as Fubo TV, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, etc. Unfortunately, all the streaming services and beIN Connect are unavailable in Ireland due to region lock.

You can watch AFCON ‘25 live on beIN Sports with your preferred streaming service with a premium VPN, i.e., Surfshark.

Read More: Watch beIN Sports in Ireland


How to Watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland on Mobile Phones

You can stream the African Cup of Nations live on New World TV. The free channel offers its official app worldwide on the Google Play Store. However, the channel is geo-restricted, so you must use a premium VPN to access it in Ireland.

Here’s how to watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland on mobile:

Step 1: Install my recommended Surfshark VPN App on your device

Step 2: Connect to the South African Server.

Step 3: Download the New World TV app from the Google Play Store.

Step 4: Once installed, open the app.

Step 5: Swipe right.

Step 6: Select Swipe right to continue.

Step 7: Swipe right by selecting the blue arrow.

Step 8: Choose Watch Live TV Now.

Step 9: Select the live stream when it is available.

Step 10: Enjoy streaming!

Try Surfshark VPN


Teams Playing in the African Cup of Nations 2025

A total of 24 teams, divided into six groups of four, will participate in the AFCON 2025. The following is the list of teams playing in the AFCON 2025:

  • Group A: Comoros, Mali, Morocco, and Zambia
  • Group B: Angola, Egypt, South Africa, and Zimbabwe
  • Group C: Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda
  • Group D: Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, and Senegal
  • Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan
  • Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique

Schedule of the African Cup of Nations 2025

The following is the schedule of the upcoming African Cup of Nations 2025 matches:

DateGroup & MatchTime (IST)
Sunday, Dec 21Morocco vs Comoros7:00 PM
Monday, Dec 22Mali vs Zambia2:30 PM
Monday, Dec 22Egypt vs Zimbabwe5:00 PM
Monday, Dec 22South Africa vs Angola7:30 PM
Tuesday, Dec 23Nigeria vs Tanzania12:00 PM
Tuesday, Dec 23Tunisia vs Uganda2:30 PM
Tuesday, Dec 23Senegal vs Botswana5:00 PM
Tuesday, Dec 23DR Congo vs Benin7:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec 24Algeria vs Sudan12:00 PM
Wednesday, Dec 24Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea2:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec 24Ivory Coast vs Mozambique5:00 PM
Wednesday, Dec 24Cameroon vs Gabon7:30 PM
Friday, Dec 26Morocco vs Mali12:00 PM
Friday, Dec 26Zambia vs Comoros2:30 PM
Friday, Dec 26Egypt vs South Africa5:00 PM
Friday, Dec 26Angola vs Zimbabwe7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec 27Nigeria vs Tunisia12:00 PM
Saturday, Dec 27Uganda vs Tanzania2:30 PM
Saturday, Dec 27Senegal vs DR Congo5:00 PM
Saturday, Dec 27Benin vs Botswana7:30 PM
Sunday, Dec 28Algeria vs Burkina Faso12:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 28Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan2:30 PM
Sunday, Dec 28Ivory Coast vs Cameroon5:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 28Gabon vs Mozambique7:30 PM
Monday, Dec 29Comoros vs Mali5:30 PM
Monday, Dec 29Zambia vs Morocco5:30 PM
Monday, Dec 29Angola vs Egypt7:30 PM
Monday, Dec 29Zimbabwe vs South Africa7:30 PM
Tuesday, Dec 30Tanzania vs Tunisia5:00 PM
Tuesday, Dec 30Uganda vs Nigeria5:00 PM
Tuesday, Dec 30Benin vs Senegal7:30 PM
Tuesday, Dec 30Botswana vs DR Congo7:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec 31Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria5:00 PM
Wednesday, Dec 31Sudan vs Burkina Faso5:00 PM
Wednesday, Dec 31Gabon vs Ivory Coast7:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec 31Mozambique vs Cameroon7:30 PM

AFCON 2025: Morocco’s Path to Glory and Salah’s Legacy

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is poised to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable tournaments in recent memory.

As the host nation, Morocco enters the tournament as the top-ranked team in Africa, riding the wave of a historic World Cup semi-final run in 2022.

With a squad featuring star players like Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat, the Atlas Lions are aiming to secure their second AFCON title on home soil, having last won in 1976.

At the same time, this tournament holds significant importance for Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s iconic forward, who will be looking to finally claim the AFCON trophy that has thus far eluded him.

After two heartbreaking losses in the final, Salah enters his fifth attempt to win the prestigious African title, which has been a glaring omission from his trophy-laden career.

With Egypt’s revamped squad, including rising talents and seasoned players, Salah’s leadership and experience will be pivotal as he seeks to cement his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest footballers.


Other Sports/Tournaments to Watch in Ireland

Sports lovers can watch the following sports in Ireland:

  1. NBA
  2. NFL
  3. NHL
  4. World Aquatic Championship

FAQs – African Cup of Nations

1. When is the Africa Cup of Nations 2025?

AFCON 2025 will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco.

2. How many teams are participating in AFCON 2025?

24 teams will compete for the AFCON title in 2025.

3. Where can I watch AFCON 2025?

In Ireland, you can watch AFCON 2025 on Channel 4. You may also use a VPN to access coverage on beIN Sports.

4. How can I stream AFCON 2025?

You can stream AFCON 2025 through beIN Sports or New World TV using VPN services to bypass geo-restrictions. BeIN Sports also offers streaming via its BeIN SPORTS CONNECT platform.


Conclusion

The African Cup of Nations will kickstart the football year. The AFCON ‘25 is the 35th edition of the biennial tournament. The event is scheduled from 21st Dec, 2025, to 18 Jan, 2026.

You can watch the African Cup of Nations in Ireland for free on Channel 4 and New World TV. You can also enjoy all the live games if you subscribe to beIN Sports Connect or any official US-based live streaming services that offer the channel.

Howeveronly Channel 4 is available in Ireland. To access other channels/services in Ireland, you must be connected to a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice to bypass the restrictions and stream AFCON ‘25 live in Ireland.

Paul Adair

Passionate writer and avid streamer, I try and test streaming services and cord cutting options. By combining my love for writing with the thrill of discovering new media platforms, I like to guide and enlighten Irish audiences on the best ways to enjoy content without the cords.

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