2025 AFCON trophy makes stop in France

The journey of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Trophy marked an important milestone on Thursday, 13 November, with a high-profile stop in Boulogne-Billancourt, just outside Paris.

After visiting Angola, Nigeria and South Africa, France became the latest country to welcome one of the most iconic symbols of African football — a source of unity and pride for the entire continent.

This stop forms part of the international tour led by TotalEnergies, in close cooperation with the CAF, as anticipation builds ahead of the next edition of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, scheduled from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

During its visit to France, the Trophy was featured on L’After, RMC Sport’s flagship football programme and a staple of the French sports media landscape. Followed by nearly 14 million listeners annually, the show has become a key space for analysis, debate and passionate football discussion.

The Trophy also appeared in a recording of After Afrique, the dedicated African football podcast under the RMC banner, which captured a special episode on 13 November in its presence.

Throughout the broadcast, the Trophy drew significant attention. Journalists, consultants, influencers and guests expressed their excitement at the rare opportunity to get close to one of African sport’s most important symbols.

• A symbol of unity beyond the continent

Its stop in Paris reflects a growing reality: the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations now resonates far beyond the borders of Africa. The competition brings together diverse communities, sparks global conversations and ignites passion in major cities around the world.

The Paris region, home to one of the largest African diasporas, offered the perfect setting for such an encounter. AFCON matchdays there bring together families, friends, neighbours, loyal supporters and new fans alike.

A moment of connection with fans and enthusiasts Guests attending the event had the opportunity to take photos and share in a memorable moments. Discussions animated the evening — predictions for the 2025 editiont, tactical analyses, reflections on historic AFCON moments and debates around the ongoing evolution of African football.

Martin Bertran, Director of Brand, Sponsorship & Advertising at TotalEnergies, says the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 presents a unique opportunity to celebrate African football with colleagues, partners and friends in France — the company’s home for more than a century.

“The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 gives us a wonderful opportunity to share the passion of African football with our colleagues, partners and friends in France, the birthplace of our company for over 100 years. We were delighted to launch these festivities in the country by hosting a stop on the Trophy Tour at our offices in La Défense. We were then pleased to bring the Trophy onto the set of After Afrique, a popular football podcast. TotalEnergies partnered with the show to help promote African football to French-speaking fans throughout the year,” Bertran said.

• CAF headquarters next, then Côte d’Ivoire

Following the Paris event, the Trophy continued its journey, heading to the CAF Headquarters in Cairo. This return to Egypt marks the transition to the next phase of its continental tour.

Next destination: Côte d’Ivoire. From 30 November to 2 December, the Trophy will be exhibited across several iconic locations in the country — recent champions of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON and hosts of the 2023 edition.