CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2024-2026 Fixtures, Results & Standings

About Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football tournament in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). First held in 1957, it is one of the oldest continental football competitions in the world and showcases the top national teams across Africa.

Held every two years, AFCON has grown into a major global event, drawing millions of viewers and featuring some of the most talented footballers in the world.

Competition Format

AFCON follows a multi-stage tournament structure:

• Qualifiers: National teams compete in qualifying rounds for a spot in the final tournament.
• Finals: The tournament hosts 24 teams, divided into 6 groups of 4.
• Knockout Stage: Top 2 teams from each group and the best 4 third-placed teams advance to the Round of 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

The winning team is crowned champion of Africa and often qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup (when held).

Recent Champions & All-Time Records

• Current Champion: Senegal (AFCON 2021)
• Most Titles: Egypt – 7 titles
• Other top winners: Cameroon – 5 titles Ghana – 4 titles Nigeria – 3 titles

Legendary Players

AFCON has seen the rise of legendary African talents, including:

• Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)
• Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
• Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
• Sadio Mané (Senegal)
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

These players have not only dominated the continent but have also excelled in Europe’s top leagues.

Upcoming Edition

• AFCON 2025 will be hosted in Morocco, promising high-quality football and world-class facilities.
• The tournament is expected to take place in early 2026, adjusted due to scheduling conflicts with other global events.

Stadiums & Attendance

AFCON is typically hosted in one or more African countries, featuring world-class stadiums:

• Notable Stadiums: Cairo International Stadium (Egypt) Stade d’Olembé (Cameroon) Stade Olympique de Radès (Tunisia)
• Highest attendances are often recorded during knockout rounds and matches involving host nations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When is the next AFCON?
A: AFCON 2025 will be hosted by Morocco and is expected to be played in early 2026.

Q: How many teams participate in the AFCON finals?
A: A total of 24 national teams compete in the final tournament.

Q: Which country has won AFCON the most times?
A: Egypt leads the chart with 7 AFCON titles.

Q: Who are the top goal scorers in AFCON history?

• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – 18 goals
• Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast) – 14 goals
• Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) – 13 goals

Q: Which African legends have starred in AFCON?
A: The tournament has featured world-class stars like George Weah, Abedi Pelé, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Roger Milla.

Q: How often is AFCON held?
A: AFCON is organized every two years by CAF.