AFCON 2025 Group Stage: Second-Highest Goal Tally Since 24-Team Format with 87 Goals

01 January 2026at11:55

The group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) witnessed a remarkable goal tally, with 87 goals scored, just two goals shy of the Ivory Coast edition, which recorded 89 goals.

The Ivory Coast edition (AFCON 2023) currently holds the record for the highest number of goals since the 24-team format was adopted at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

According to the data, the goals were distributed across the six groups as follows: Group A saw 9 goals scored, while Group B recorded 14 goals.

Group C was the highest-scoring with 20 goals, while Group D registered 13 goals. Group E accumulated 14 goals, and Group F concluded its group stage matches with 17 goals.

As the tournament enters its knockout stages, the question remains whether the current edition can surpass the historical record, or at least come close, given the presence of distinguished attacking players and a clear desire among teams to go far in pursuit of the title.

Q&A

Which group had the highest goal count in the AFCON 2025 Group Stage?

Group C led the AFCON 2025 Group Stage with an impressive 20 goals. Overall, the tournament's group stage accumulated 87 goals, placing it second historically since the 24-team format was introduced.

What implications does the high goal tally have for the AFCON 2025 knockout stages?

The high goal tally, driven by distinguished attacking players and teams' strong desire for the title, sets an exciting precedent. The full article explores whether this momentum can challenge the all-time record in the knockout rounds.

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CAF Africa Cup of Nations