The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have officially unveiled the tournament’s mascot, ‘Assad’.

The mascot, inspired by the Atlas lion—a symbol of Morocco and a unifying figure across Africa—was introduced in a statement released by CAF on Monday.

CAF explained that the name “Assad,” which means “lion” in Arabic, represents strength, pride, and cultural authenticity. The mascot is designed to embody the spirit, passion, and excitement that define Africa’s premier football competition.

“As an ambassador for the tournament, Assad will help build emotional connections with fans of all ages, particularly children and families, who are central to football’s culture and future,” the statement said.

The statement added that Assad will play an active role in fan engagement, appearing across stadiums, fan zones, and community events, while also supporting marketing campaigns, enriching digital content, and promoting CAF’s brand.

“Assad’s design reflects a friendly, youthful lion, whose expressive features and energetic personality mirror the warmth, creativity, and diversity of Africa. His colours and overall style align with the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 branding, ensuring a unified and dynamic tournament image,” CAF noted.

Beyond the tournament, Assad is set to feature in CAF grassroots and youth development programmes, school and community football initiatives, and future digital storytelling, cementing his role as a long-term ambassador for African football.

The 2025 AFCON will kick off on December 21, with hosts Morocco facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. This marks Morocco’s second time hosting the competition, the first being in 1988.