Where is afcon

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier men's international football competition in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament has been held every two years since 1968, with the most recent edition in 2023 won by Ivory Coast, who defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final. The next tournament, AFCON 2025, is scheduled to be hosted by Morocco.

Key Facts

First held in 1957 with only three participating teams
Egypt holds the record for most titles with 7 wins
Expanded to 24 teams starting from the 2019 edition
Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o is the all-time top scorer with 18 goals
The 2023 tournament featured 52 matches across 6 stadiums in Ivory Coast

Overview

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) represents the pinnacle of international football competition across the African continent. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), this prestigious tournament brings together national teams from Africa's 54 member associations in a celebration of football excellence and continental pride. Since its inception in 1957, AFCON has grown from a modest three-team competition to a major global sporting event that captures the attention of millions worldwide.

The tournament's history reflects Africa's political and social evolution, with early editions featuring just a handful of nations during the colonial era. Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia participated in the inaugural tournament, with Egypt emerging as the first champions. Over decades, AFCON has expanded significantly, now featuring 24 teams competing across multiple host cities. The competition has produced legendary players and memorable moments that have shaped African football's identity on the world stage.

How It Works

AFCON follows a structured format involving qualification rounds and a final tournament phase.

Qualification Process: All 54 CAF member nations participate in qualification, which typically begins two years before the final tournament. Teams are divided into groups, with the top finishers advancing to the final competition. For AFCON 2023, qualification involved 48 teams competing in 12 groups of 4, with the top two from each group securing their spots.
Final Tournament Format: The 24 qualified teams are divided into six groups of four during the final tournament. Each team plays three group stage matches, with the top two from each group plus the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. The knockout phase consists of round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final match.
Host Selection: Host nations are selected through a bidding process years in advance, with countries required to demonstrate adequate infrastructure, stadiums, and organizational capacity. Recent hosts have included Egypt (2019), Cameroon (2021), and Ivory Coast (2023), with Morocco scheduled to host in 2025.
Competition Rules: Matches follow standard FIFA regulations with some CAF-specific provisions. The tournament uses video assistant referee (VAR) technology since its introduction in 2019. In case of knockout stage ties, matches proceed to extra time and penalty shootouts if necessary.

Key Comparisons

Feature	AFCON	UEFA European Championship
First Edition	1957 (Sudan)	1960 (France)
Current Format	24 teams every 2 years	24 teams every 4 years
Most Successful Team	Egypt (7 titles)	Germany/Spain (3 titles each)
Prize Money (2023)	$7 million to winner	$34 million to winner (2020)
Average Attendance	Approximately 25,000 per match	Approximately 40,000 per match

Why It Matters

Economic Impact: Hosting AFCON generates significant economic activity, with the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast estimated to have contributed over $500 million to the local economy through tourism, infrastructure development, and job creation.
Football Development: The tournament serves as a crucial platform for African players to showcase their talents to global audiences, with scouts from European clubs regularly attending. Over 70% of players in recent AFCON tournaments have been based in European leagues.
Cultural Significance: AFCON fosters continental unity and national pride, with viewership reaching over 500 million people across Africa during major tournaments. The competition has become a cultural phenomenon that transcends sport, celebrating African identity and achievement.

Looking ahead, AFCON continues to evolve with plans for further expansion and modernization. The Confederation of African Football has announced considerations for increasing the tournament to 32 teams by 2027, reflecting the growing depth of African football talent. With improved broadcasting deals, enhanced stadium infrastructure, and increasing commercial interest, AFCON is positioned to become an even more significant global sporting event. The tournament's future success will depend on balancing tradition with innovation while maintaining its unique African character and competitive spirit.