Africa Cup Of Nations – Winners History Fixtures And Tickets

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Held every two years, it determines the continental champion. The 2025 edition, hosted by Morocco and originally scheduled for mid-2025, took place in early 2026 and ended in controversy after CAF overturned the result of the final, handing Morocco the title. This guide covers winners, upcoming tournaments, fixtures, standings, ticketing, and broadcast information.

Understanding AFCON requires looking at its history, its recent champions, and the confusion around its schedule. The tournament has expanded over the decades, and its next edition in 2027 will be co-hosted by three East African nations for the first time.

Below, we address the most common questions fans ask, based on official sources and verified data.

Which Countries Have Won the Most AFCON Titles?

• Egypt has won the most titles (7), followed by Cameroon (5) and Ghana (4).
• Since 2013, the winner has rotated: Nigeria (2013), Ivory Coast (2015, 2023), Cameroon (2017), Algeria (2019), Senegal (2021), and Morocco (2025).
• AFCON moved from even years to odd years starting in 2013 to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup.
• The 2025 edition was Morocco’s first time hosting since 1988, after Guinea was stripped of the rights due to inadequate preparations.
• The 2025 final was originally won 1-0 by Senegal, but CAF overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory by forfeit.
• Twenty-four teams have competed in the final tournament since the expansion in 2019.
• Senegal’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) remained pending as of May 2026.

When Is the Next Africa Cup of Nations (2026)?

There is no AFCON tournament scheduled for 2026. The 2025 edition, which was played in early 2026 due to scheduling adjustments, has concluded. The next edition will be the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Exact dates for 2027 have not yet been confirmed by CAF.

Why do some fans search for “AFCON 2026”?

The confusion arises because the 2025 tournament was played in January 2026. Originally scheduled for mid-2025, it was moved to early 2026. Many casual followers mistakenly refer to it as the 2026 AFCON. Officially, CAF designates it as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Confirmed future hosts

CAF has awarded the 2027 edition to an East African bid comprising Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It will be the first AFCON co-hosted by three countries. No host has been confirmed for 2029.

What Are the Current Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures and Results?

The most recent completed tournament is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco. The final took place on January 18, 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Below are key results from that edition.

Final result and controversy

Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the winner in the 94th minute. However, Senegal’s players walked off the pitch for 15-17 minutes during stoppage time to protest a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Fans attempted to storm the field. After play resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal held on. On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and the title. Senegal’s government demanded an independent inquiry into alleged CAF corruption, and the Senegalese Football Federation appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on March 25, 2026. Fines of $615,000 for Senegal and $315,000 for Morocco were imposed.

Morocco’s path to the title

Other notable results

Quarterfinals: Egypt defeated defending champions Ivory Coast; Senegal beat Mali; Nigeria overcame Algeria. Semifinals: Morocco beat Egypt 1-0; Senegal advanced past their opponent. Notable group matches include Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe (Marmoush 64′, Salah 90+1′; Dube 20′) and Algeria 3-0 Sudan (Mahrez 2′, 61′; Maza 85′). ESPN provides ongoing fixture listings for AFCON.

Where to Find Africa Cup of Nations Standings and Table?

For the most recent tournament, group standings and knockout brackets are available on official CAF channels and major sports platforms. Morocco topped their group undefeated, with wins over Botswana and Benin and a draw against DR Congo.

The group stage draw for the 2025 edition was seeded as follows: Pot 1 (hosts and seeds) included Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and holders Ivory Coast. Pot 2 featured Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso. Pot 3 contained Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Benin. Pot 4 included Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

For current standings and tables of future qualifying campaigns, Sky Sports maintains a dedicated AFCON table page. CAF’s official website also publishes group tables during qualification and final tournaments.

Final standings for 2025

Official final positions: 1. Morocco (champions), 2. Senegal (runners-up), 3. Nigeria, 4. Egypt. Ivory Coast, the 2023 champions, were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Egypt. Cameroon did not reach the semifinals.

How to Get Africa Cup of Nations Tickets and Watch on BBC?

Ticketing for AFCON tournaments is managed by CAF and the host nation’s organizing committee. For the 2025 edition, tickets were sold through official CAF channels and authorized local vendors. No specific ticketing details are available for future editions until CAF announces sales windows.

For broadcast, rights vary by region. In the United Kingdom, the BBC holds rights to AFCON matches. BBC Sport provides coverage, match reports, and highlights. Other major broadcasters include beIN Sports (Middle East and North Africa), SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa), and Sky Sports (UK).

For the 2027 AFCON in East Africa, ticket information will be released by CAF and the joint organizing committee closer to the tournament dates.

Timeline of All Africa Cup of Nations Tournaments

AFCON has been held every two years since 1957, with a few exceptions. Below is a chronological list of all editions, with hosts and winners.

1. 1957 – Sudan (hosts), Egypt (winners) – three teams participated.
2. 1959 – United Arab Republic (Egypt/Syria), Egypt (winners).
3. 1962 – Ethiopia, Ethiopia (winners).
4. 1963 – Ghana, Ghana (winners).
5. 1965 – Tunisia, Ghana (winners).
6. 1968 – Ethiopia, DR Congo (winners, as Congo-Kinshasa).
7. 1970 – Sudan, Sudan (winners).
8. 1972 – Cameroon, Congo (winners).
9. 1974 – Egypt, Zaire (winners).
10. 1976 – Ethiopia, Morocco (winners) – Morocco’s first title.
11. 1978 – Ghana, Ghana (winners).
12. 1980 – Nigeria, Nigeria (winners).
13. 1982 – Libya, Ghana (winners).
14. 1984 – Ivory Coast, Cameroon (winners).
15. 1986 – Egypt, Egypt (winners).
16. 1988 – Morocco, Cameroon (winners).
17. 1990 – Algeria, Algeria (winners).
18. 1992 – Senegal, Ivory Coast (winners).
19. 1994 – Tunisia, Nigeria (winners).
20. 1996 – South Africa, South Africa (winners).
21. 1998 – Burkina Faso, Egypt (winners).
22. 2000 – Ghana & Nigeria, Cameroon (winners).
23. 2002 – Mali, Cameroon (winners).
24. 2004 – Tunisia, Tunisia (winners).
25. 2006 – Egypt, Egypt (winners).
26. 2008 – Ghana, Egypt (winners).
27. 2010 – Angola, Egypt (winners).
28. 2012 – Equatorial Guinea & Gabon, Zambia (winners).
29. 2013 – South Africa, Nigeria (winners).
30. 2015 – Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast (winners).
31. 2017 – Gabon, Cameroon (winners).
32. 2019 – Egypt, Algeria (winners).
33. 2021 – Cameroon, Senegal (winners).
34. 2023 – Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast (winners).
35. 2025 – Morocco, Morocco (winners, forfeit ruling).
36. 2027 – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (future).

For a comprehensive historical reference including full match results and statistics, Wikipedia’s AFCON page is a widely cited source.

AFCON 2026 – Common Confusion Clarified

Many users search for “AFCON 2026” or “Africa Cup of Nations 2026.” No tournament is scheduled for that calendar year. The 2025 edition was played in January 2026, which likely causes the confusion. Below is a breakdown of confirmed information versus what remains unclear.

The CAF official calendar should be consulted for definitive scheduling. CAF’s official tournament page is the authoritative source for all future announcements.

Why Has AFCON Seen Shifting Dominance in Recent Years?

Recent AFCON tournaments have shown a shift in power. West African teams have been particularly strong: Senegal won their first title in 2021, Ivory Coast won in 2023, and Nigeria reached the final in 2023 and took third place in 2025. North African sides Egypt and Morocco remain competitive, with Morocco winning in 2025 and Egypt reaching the semifinals that same year.

Algeria’s 2019 title and Senegal’s 2021 victory broke a period of relative North African dominance. The expansion to 24 teams in 2019 has allowed more nations to compete, increasing the diversity of quarterfinal and semifinal participants. European club football continues to heavily influence player availability and fitness, with many top African stars featuring in European leagues.

The introduction of VAR and increased prize money have also raised the tournament’s profile. For the 2023 edition, the winner received $7 million. CAF has not yet announced prize amounts for 2025 or 2027. The 2025 tournament was also notable for the controversy surrounding the final, which drew international attention to CAF’s disciplinary processes. ESPN reported extensively on the CAF Appeals Board decision.

Key Sources and Official Statements on AFCON

The information in this article is drawn from official CAF communications, major sports media outlets, and historical records. Below are key sources and attributed statements.

“The Senegalese Football Federation calls this decision a travesty and has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

– Senegalese Football Federation statement, March 25, 2026 (via ESPN)

“We demand an independent inquiry into alleged corruption within CAF regarding the handling of the final.”

– Government of Senegal, official reaction to CAF forfeit ruling (via multiple news reports)

Historical data on winners and hosts is corroborated by Wikipedia’s detailed tournament pages and Britannica’s AFCON winners list. Video reports from beIN SPORTS and CAF’s official YouTube channel document the final and the subsequent announcement.

For future tournament updates, CAF’s official website (cafonline.com) remains the primary source for news, qualifiers, and ticket announcements.

Summary: What You Need to Know About the Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations remains Africa’s most prestigious football competition, with Egypt holding the record for most titles (7) and Morocco as the current champion after the controversial 2025 final. The next tournament is scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. There is no AFCON in 2026. For the full story on the 2025 final and its aftermath, read our dedicated piece: 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Overview.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Africa Cup of Nations