View source for Africa Cup of Nations

{{Short description|African association football tournament for men's national teams}}
{{distinguish|African Nations Championship}}
{{About||the women's tournament|Women's Africa Cup of Nations|other uses}}
{{redirect|African Nations Cup|the Australian competition|African Nations Cup of South Australia}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox football tournament
| name                 = Africa Cup of Nations
| logo                 = Africa Cup of Nation official logo.png
| imagesize            = 
| organiser            = [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
| founded              = {{Start date and age|1957|df=yes}}
| region               = [[Africa]]
| number of teams      = 24 (finals)<br /> 54 (eligible to enter qualification)
| current champions    = {{nowrap|{{fb|CIV}} (3rd title)}}
| most successful team = {{nowrap|{{fb|EGY}} (7 titles)}}
| website              = {{url|https://www.cafonline.com/africa-cup-of-nations/|cafonline.com}}
| current              = [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]]
}}
{{Season sidebar
| title = Tournaments
| list  = 
* [[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]]
* [[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]]
* [[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]]
* [[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]]
* [[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]]
* [[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]]
* [[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]]
* [[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]]
* [[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]]
* [[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]]
* [[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]]
* [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]]
* [[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]]
* [[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]]
* [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]]
* [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]]
* [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]]
* [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]]
* [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]]
* [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]]
* [[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]]
* [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]]
* [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]
* [[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]]
* [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]]
* [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]]
* [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]]
* [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]]
* [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]
* [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]]
* [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]]
* [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]]
* [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]]
* [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]]
* ''[[2025 Africa Cup of Nations|2025]]''
* ''[[2027 Africa Cup of Nations|2027]]''
* ''[[2029 Africa Cup of Nations|2029]]''
}}

The '''Africa Cup of Nations''', commonly abbreviated as '''AFCON''' and officially known as the '''[[TotalEnergies]] Africa Cup of Nations''' for [[sponsorship]] reasons,<ref>{{cite web|title=Live score: Cameroon v Burkina Faso (African Cup of Nations) – News – AFCON 2021|url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/454872.aspx|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Ahram Online|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109135104/https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/454872.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|date=2022-01-09|title=AFCON 2021: Teams and players to watch, start and final date|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2022/01/09/61dac807ca47411f188b45eb.html|access-date=2022-01-09|website=MARCA|language=en|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109135103/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2022/01/09/61dac807ca47411f188b45eb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is the main biennial international men's [[association football]] competition in [[Africa]]. It is sanctioned by the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) and was first held in [[1957 Africa Cup of Nations|1957]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Africa Cup of Nations {{!}} History, Winners, Trophy, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/African-Cup-of-Nations |access-date=2022-05-20 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428071101/https://www.britannica.com/sports/African-Cup-of-Nations |url-status=live }}</ref> Since [[1968 Africa Cup of Nations|1968]], it has been held every two years, switching to odd-numbered years{{refn|group=n|name=different years|The 2021 tournament was held in 2022 but retained the name for sponsorship reasons. The 2023 tournament was held in 2024 but retained the name for sponsorship reasons}} in 2013.

In the first tournament in 1957, there were only three participating nations: [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]], [[Sudan national football team|Sudan]], and [[Ethiopia national football team|Ethiopia]]. [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] who were originally scheduled to join, but all were [[Ejection (sports)|disqualified]] due to the [[apartheid]] policies of the government then in power.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1709599.stm |title=African Cup of Nations – How it all began |date=14 December 2001 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=13 February 2012 |archive-date=30 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330052359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1709599.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then, the tournament has expanded greatly, making it necessary to hold a qualifying tournament. The number of participants in the final tournament reached 16 in 1998 (16 teams were to compete in 1996, but [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] withdrew, reducing the field to 15, and the same happened with [[Togo national football team|Togo]]'s withdrawal in 2010), and until 2017, the format had been unchanged, with the 16 teams being drawn into four groups of four teams each, with the top two teams of each group advancing to a "knock-out" stage. On 20 July 2017, the 2019 edition of the tournament was moved from January to June and all future tournaments were expanded from 16 to 24 teams.<ref name=reforms>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40670308 |title=Africa Cup of Nations moved to June and July and expanded to 24 teams |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031246/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40670308 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] is the most successful nation in the cup's history, winning the tournament seven times, with [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] winning five times and [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] four times.<ref>{{Citation |url=https://en.as.com/en/2022/01/08/soccer/1641659967_022338.html |title=Which national team has won the Africa Cup of Nations most times? |website=en.as.com |author=Paul Reidy |date=8 January 2022 |access-date=20 January 2022 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120162547/https://en.as.com/en/2022/01/08/soccer/1641659967_022338.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Three [[trophies]] have been awarded during the tournament's history; the current trophy was first awarded in 2002. [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] won an unprecedented three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2013, the tournament format was switched to being held in odd-numbered years so as not to interfere with the [[FIFA World Cup]].<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8685251.stm |title=Africa Cup of Nations Cup to move to odd-numbered years |date=16 May 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 February 2012 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222191348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8685251.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] are the tournament's current champions, having beaten [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] 2–1 in the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations final|2023 final]].

==History==

===1950s–60s: Origin and early years===
[[File:Hanafy_Bastan_1957.jpg|thumb|Egypt's captain [[Hanafy Bastan]] carrying the African Cup of Nations trophy in 1957]]
The origin of the African Nations Cup dates from June 1956, when the creation of the Confederation of African Football was proposed during the third [[FIFA]] congress in [[Lisbon]]. There were immediate plans for a continental tournament to be held and, in February 1957, the [[1957 Africa Cup of Nations|first Africa Cup of Nations]] was held in [[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]]. There was no qualification for this tournament, the field being made up of the four founding nations of CAF ([[Egypt]], [[Sudan]], [[Ethiopia]], and [[South Africa]]). South Africa's insistence on selecting only [[white South African|white]] players for its squad due to its [[apartheid]] policy led to its disqualification, and as a consequence Ethiopia were handed a bye straight to the final.<ref name="BBC-began">{{cite news |title=African Nations Cup – How it all began |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1709599.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 March 2007 |date=14 December 2001 |archive-date=18 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218214543/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1709599.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Hence only two matches were played, with Egypt being crowned as the first continental champion after defeating hosts Sudan in the semi-final by 2–1 and Ethiopia in the [[1957 African Cup of Nations final|final]] by a score of 4–0.

Two years later in 1959, Egypt hosted the second ANC in [[Cairo]] with the participation of the same three teams. Host and defending champions Egypt again won, after defeating Sudan in the [[United Arab Republic v Sudan (1959 African Cup of Nations)|final]] by a score at of 2–1 . The field grew to include nine teams for the [[1962 African Cup of Nations|third ANC in 1962]] in [[Addis Ababa]], and for the first time there was a qualification round to determine which four teams would play for the title. Host Ethiopia and reigning champion Egypt received automatic berths and were joined in the final four by [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] and [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]]. Egypt made its third consecutive final appearance, but the Ethiopia team emerged as victors, first beating Tunisia and then downing Egypt in [[Extra time (football)|extra time]].

===1960s: Ghanaian domination===
In 1963, [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] made its first appearance as it hosted the event and won the title after beating Sudan in the final. They repeated that as they became champions two years later in [[Tunisia]]—equalling Egypt as two-time winners—with a squad that included only two returning members from the 1963 team.<ref name="BBC-1957-1978">{{cite news |title=The early years |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3396199.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2004 |access-date=9 March 2007 |archive-date=24 January 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040124113449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3396199.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1965, the CAF introduced a rule that limited the number of overseas players in each team to two. The rule persisted until 1982.<ref>{{cite book |last=Macdonald |first=Tom |title=The World Encyclopedia of Football:A Complete Guide to the Beautiful Game |publisher=Hermes House |location=London |date=2010 |page=61}}</ref>

The [[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968, competition]]'s final tournament format expanded to include eight of the 22 teams entered in the preliminary rounds. The qualifying teams were distributed in two groups of four to play single [[round-robin tournament]]s, with the top two teams of each group advancing to semi-finals, a system that remained in use for the finals until 1992. The [[Congo DR national football team|Democratic Republic of Congo]] won its first title, beating Ghana in the final. Starting with the 1968 tournament, the competition was regularly held every two years in even-numbered years; this ended with the 2012 tournament, which was followed by a tournament in 2013, and successor editions in each odd-numbered year. [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] forward [[Laurent Pokou]] led the 1968 and 1970 tournaments in scoring, with six and eight goals respectively, and his total of 14 goals remained the all-time record until 2008. Play was covered for television for the first time during the [[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970 tournament]] in Sudan,<ref name="BBC-1957-1978" /> as the hosts lifted the trophy after defeating Ghana – who were playing their fourth consecutive final.

===1970s: A decade of champions===
Six nations won titles from 1970 to 1980: [[Sudan national football team|Sudan]], [[Republic of the Congo national football team|Congo-Brazzaville]], [[Zaire national football team|Zaire]], [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], Ghana, and Nigeria. Zaire's second title in the [[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974 edition]] (it won its first as the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of Congo]]) came after facing [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]] in the final.

For the only time to date in the history of the competition, the match had to be replayed as the first contest between the two sides ended in a 2–2 draw after extra time. The final was re-staged two days later with Zaire winning 2–0. Forward [[Mulamba Ndaye]] scored all four of Zaire's goals in these two matches: he was also the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals, setting a single-tournament record that remains unmatched. Three months earlier, Zaire had become the first Sub-Saharan African nation to qualify to the [[FIFA World Cup]]. Morocco won their first title in the 1976 ANC held in Ethiopia and Ghana took its third championship in 1978, becoming the first nation to win three titles.

===1980s: Cameroonian domination===
Between 1980 and 1990, [[Cameroon]] managed to reach the final of the Africa Cup three times in a row, winning the competition twice in [[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]] and [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]] and losing once on penalties against [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] in the [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986 edition]], the other dominant team during this period was [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]], along with their solid [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]] and decent [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]] [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] appearances, the North African nation lost in the final against hosts [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] in the [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980 tournament]] allowing the Super Eagles to capture their first championship. After the [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980 edition]], [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] reached the semi-finals of every edition except the [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986 cup]] until they eventually won the competition in [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]]. Ghana's fourth continental title came in the [[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982 cup tournament]], where they beat host [[Libya national football team|Libya]] in the final. The match ended in a 1–1 draw after 120 minutes and [[Ghana national football team]] won the [[penalty shootout (football)|penalty shootout]] to become champions.

===1990s: The return of South Africa===
In 1990, the [[1990 African Cup of Nations]] was the 17th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]]. Just like in 1988, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. Algeria won its first championship, beating Nigeria in the final 1–0. Nigeria lost once again as they made their third final appearance in four tournaments, this time falling to host [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]].

The [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992 Cup of Nations]] expanded the number of final tournament participants to 12; the teams were divided into four groups of three, with the top two teams of each group advancing to quarter-finals. [[Ghana]]ian [[midfielder]] [[Abedi Pele|Abedi "Pele" Ayew]], who scored three goals, was named the best player of the tournament after his contributions helped Ghana reach the final; he was, however, suspended for that match and Ghana lost to [[Ivory Coast]] in a penalty shootout that saw each side make 11 attempts to determine the winner. Ivory Coast set a record for the competition by holding each of their opponents scoreless in the six matches of the final tournament.

The 12-team, three-group format was used again two years later, where hosts [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]] were humiliated by their first-round elimination. [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], who had just qualified to the World Cup for the first time in their history, won [[1994 African Cup of Nations|the tournament]], beating [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]], who a year before had been struck by disaster when most of their national squad died in a [[1993 Zambia national football team plane crash|plane crash]] while traveling to play a [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|1994 World Cup qualification]] match. Nigerian forward [[Rashidi Yekini]], who had led the 1992 tournament with four goals, repeated as the top scorer with five goals.

[[South Africa]] hosted the [[1996 African Cup of Nations|20th ACN competition]] in 1996, marking its first ever appearance after a decades-long ban was lifted with the end of apartheid in the country, which had been followed by a failed attempt to qualify in 1994. The number of final-round participants in 1996 was expanded to 16, split into four groups. However, the actual number of teams playing in the final was only 15, because Nigeria withdrew from the tournament at the final moment for political reasons.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite news |last=Gleeson |first=Mark |title=SA to meet Nigeria |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3736102.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2004 |access-date=10 December 2007 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511142820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3736102.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[South Africa national football team|Bafana Bafana]]'' won their first title on home soil, defeating Tunisia in the final.<ref>{{cite news |title=African Cup of Nations: 1980–2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3399773.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2004 |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-date=12 February 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212013349/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3399773.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The South Africans would reach the final again [[1998 African Cup of Nations|two years later]] in [[Burkina Faso]], but were unable to defend their title, losing to Egypt who claimed their fourth cup.

===2000s: Egypt's unprecedented treble===
[[File:Africa cup final1.jpg|alt=|thumb|Egypt against Cameroon at the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008 Africa Cup of Nations Final]].]]
The [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000 edition]] was hosted jointly by [[Ghana]] and [[Nigeria]], who replaced the originally designated host [[Zimbabwe]]. Following a 2–2 draw after extra time in the final, Cameroon defeated Nigeria on penalty kicks. In 2002, Cameroon's ''[[Cameroon national football team|Indomitable Lions]]'' won their second consecutive title. This was the first repeat since Ghana had done it in the 1960s and after Egypt had done it before in 1957 and 1959. The Cameroonians beat first-time finalists [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]], who also debuted in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] later that year, via [[Penalty kicks (soccer)|penalty kicks]]. Both finalists were eliminated in the quarter-finals [[2004 African Cup of Nations|two years later]] in [[Tunisia]], where the hosts won their first title, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final.

The [[2006 African Cup of Nations|2006 tournament]] was also won by the hosts, [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]], who reached a continental-record fifth title. Ahead of the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]] several European clubs called for a rethink of the tournament's schedule. Given that it takes place during the European season, players who are involved miss several matches for their clubs.<ref name="BBC news">{{cite news |last=Hassan |first=Nabil |title=Clubs want African Cup rethink |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7140013.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2007 |access-date=27 November 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213163306/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7140013.stm |archive-date=13 December 2007}}</ref> In January 2008, [[FIFA]] president [[Sepp Blatter]] announced that he wanted the tournament to be held in either June or July by 2016, to fit in the international calendar, although this would preclude many countries in central and west Africa from hosting the competition (for these months occur during their [[wet season]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Blatter wants Cup of Nations move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7194966.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2008 |access-date=18 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119233212/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7194966.stm |archive-date=19 January 2008}}</ref> The [[2008 African Cup of Nations|2008 tournament]] was hosted by Ghana, and saw Egypt retain the trophy, winning its record-extending sixth tournament by defeating Cameroon 1–0 in the final.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ghana 2008 all results |url=http://arogeraldes.blogspot.com/2007/10/sorteo-de-la-copa-africana-de-naciones.html |publisher=International Football Journalism |date=10 February 2008 |access-date=10 February 2008 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002132114/http://arogeraldes.blogspot.com/2007/10/sorteo-de-la-copa-africana-de-naciones.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010s: Switch to odd years ===
[[File:Acon final 2015 (16328813238).jpg|thumb|[[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] players celebrate after winning the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015 AFCON]].]]Egypt set a new record in the [[2010 African Cup of Nations|2010 tournament]] (hosted by [[Angola]]) by winning its third consecutive title in an unprecedented achievement on the African level after defeating Ghana 1–0 in the final, retaining the gold-plated cup indefinitely and extending its record to seven continental titles (including when Egypt was known as UAR between 1958 and 1961).<ref>{{cite news |title=Ghana 0–1 Egypt |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8489708.stm |date=31 January 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 January 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201053035/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8489708.stm |archive-date=1 February 2010}}</ref> Egypt became the first African nation to win three consecutive cups and joined [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], and [[Iran national football team|Iran]] who also won their [[continent]] cup three times in a row. On 31 January 2010, [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] set a new African record, not being defeated for 19 consecutive Cup of Nations matches, since a 2–1 loss against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] in [[2004 African Cup of Nations|Tunisia in 2004]],{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} and a record 9 consecutive win streak.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} In May 2010, it was announced that the tournament would be moved to odd-numbered years from 2013 in order to prevent the tournament from taking place in the same year as the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]. It also meant there were two tournaments within twelve months in January 2012<ref>{{cite press release |title=Equatorial Guinea: Ahead of AU Summit, Government Curtails Political Rights, Disregards Social Needs|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201106221328.html |publisher=Human Rights Watch|access-date=24 June 2011|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020041322/http://allafrica.com/stories/201106221328.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea]]) and January 2013 ([[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|hosted by South Africa]]).<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk" /> The change of [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] from a biennial to a quadrennial tournament, and the switching of the Africa Cup of Nations from even to odd-number years, meant that some previous Africa Cup of Nations champions such as [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]], [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]], and [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] (winners of the 2010, 2012, and 2015 tournaments respectively) were deprived from participating in the [[FIFA Confederations Cup|Confederations Cup tournament]].[[File:Cameroon celebrating winning 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (cropped).jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] players celebrate after winning the [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017 AFCON]].]]In 2011, [[Morocco]] won the bid to host the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015 edition]], and [[Libya]] won the right to host the [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013 tournament]], but the [[2011 Libyan civil war]] prompted Libya and South Africa to trade years, with [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|South Africa hosting in 2013]] and Libya hosting in 2017.<ref>BBC Sport. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15089244 "South Africa replace Libya as 2013 Nations Cup hosts"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109011133/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15089244 |date=9 January 2016 }}. [[BBC]], 28 September 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2013.</ref> [[Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|Ongoing fighting in Libya]] ultimately prompted CAF to move the [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017 tournament to Gabon]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Libya stripped of right to host 2017 Nations Cup |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/african-cup-of-nations/2013/libya-stripped-of-right-to-host-2017-nations-cup_sto4370107/story.shtml |publisher=[[Eurosport]] |date=2014-08-23 |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414055323/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, Zambia won the final after a penalty shootout against Ivory Coast. This drew increased media attention since the match took place in Gabon, only a few hundred meters from the crash site of the [[1993 Zambia national football team air disaster|1993 air disaster]] of their national team. The 2013 tournament was won by Nigeria, beating first time finalists Burkina Faso. In 2014–15, the [[West African Ebola virus epidemic]] disrupted the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/sports/soccer/morocco-wont-host-africa-cup-of-nations-because-of-ebola-fears.html |title=Africa Cup Disrupted by Ebola Concerns |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=11 November 2014 |last1=Longman |first1=Jeré |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=4 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104014008/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/sports/soccer/morocco-wont-host-africa-cup-of-nations-because-of-ebola-fears.html |url-status=live }}</ref> All football activities in [[Liberia]] were suspended,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28542577 |title=Ebola outbreak: Liberia suspends football |publisher=BBC News |date=29 July 2014 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620132215/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28542577 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Antoinette Tubman Stadium]] in [[Monrovia]] was converted into an Ebola treatment unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Liberia_football_ground_converted_into_Ebola0988776655443322121.htm |title=Liberia football ground converted into Ebola treatment centre |website=liberiansoccer.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113190410/http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Liberia_football_ground_converted_into_Ebola0988776655443322121.htm |archive-date=13 November 2014 }}</ref> The [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations]] was scheduled to be held in Morocco, but they refused to hold the tournament on the allotted dates due to concerns of the Ebola outbreak, so it was moved to Equatorial Guinea.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30053859 |title=2015 Nations Cup: Equatorial Guinea to host tournament |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=27 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127232300/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30053859 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2016, [[Total S.A.|Total]] secured the rights to an eight-year sponsorship package to support 10 of [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]'s principal competitions. This began with the [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon]] which was renamed the "Total Africa Cup of Nations".<ref name="africanews.com2">{{cite news|date=21 July 2016|title=Total to sponsor CAF competitions for the next eight years|work=Africa News |url=http://www.africanews.com/2016/07/21/total-to-sponsor-caf-competitions-for-the-next-eight-years/|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425200729/http://www.africanews.com/2016/07/21/total-to-sponsor-caf-competitions-for-the-next-eight-years//|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Since 2019: Tournament expansion ===
Under [[Ahmad Ahmad]]'s presidency, there were discussions regarding further changes to the Africa Cup of Nations. In July 2017, two changes were proposed:<ref>{{cite web|date=18 July 2017|title=Infantino in Rabat as CAF mulls 24 –team AFCON|url=http://www.thenff.com/2017/07/infantino-rabat-caf-mulls-24-team-afcon/|publisher=Nigeria Football Federation|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073251/http://www.thenff.com/2017/07/infantino-rabat-caf-mulls-24-team-afcon/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=17 July 2017|title=Potential changes to Africa Cup of Nations high on agenda at key CAF symposium|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1052864/potential-changes-to-africa-cup-of-nations-high-on-agenda-at-key-caf-symposium|publisher=Inside the Games|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=18 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718004946/http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1052864/potential-changes-to-africa-cup-of-nations-high-on-agenda-at-key-caf-symposium|url-status=live}}</ref> switching the timing of the competition from January to the Northern Hemisphere summer and expanding from 16 to 24 teams (effective from the [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations]]). On 20 July 2017, the CAF Executive Commission approved the propositions at a meeting in [[Rabat, Morocco]].<ref name="reforms" /> 

[[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] won the [[African Cup of Nations 2019]], achieving a 1–0 victory against Senegal in the final. The title was Algeria's second ever and first since 1990. Nigeria came third after beating Tunisia 1–0 in their third-place decider match.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Algeria win Africa Cup of Nations|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48959714|access-date=2021-06-22|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720020507/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48959714|url-status=live}}</ref> The prize money awarded to the [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations]] winner amounted to $4.5 million while runners-up [[Senegal]] got $2.5 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.football365.fr/can-2019-vainqueur-empochera-4-millions-deuros-9056668.html|title=Le vainqueur de la CAN 2019 empochera une prime de 4 millions d'euros|date=14 April 2019|work=Football365|access-date=18 April 2019|publisher=Football365|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417235647/https://www.football365.fr/can-2019-vainqueur-empochera-4-millions-deuros-9056668.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=How much will the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations receive?|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-winners-africa-cup-nations-130442266.html|access-date=2022-02-07|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=10 January 2022 |language=en-US|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207040126/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-winners-africa-cup-nations-130442266.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Match days 3 and 4 of the [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]], which was slated from 25 to 30 March 2020, were postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=CAF postpones 2021 AFCON qualifiers|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/caf-postpones-2021-afcon-qualifiers.html|access-date=2020-03-14|website=Graphic Online|date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203175635/https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/caf-postpones-2021-afcon-qualifiers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations]] tournament, hosted by [[Cameroon]], and was postponed to 2022 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The Confederation of African Football increased the cash prize for the winner from $4.5 million to $5 million for [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations]] while the second-best team will get $2.75 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How much will the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations receive?|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-winners-africa-cup-nations-130442266.html|access-date=2022-02-07|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=10 January 2022 |language=en-US|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207040126/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-winners-africa-cup-nations-130442266.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]] won the tournament for the first time after beating Egypt on penalties in the [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations Final|final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60186276|title=Senegal 0 Egypt 0 (4–1 pn pens)|date=6 February 2022|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=7 February 2022|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005171128/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60186276|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Format ==
The number of teams and the format of each final tournament have varied over the years. In most tournaments, the tournament consists of a [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] group stage followed by a [[single-elimination]] knockout stage.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 width=60| Year
!rowspan=2| Teams
!colspan=2| Matches
!rowspan=2| Format
|-
! {{abbr|Min.|Minimum possible matches, if no match had been replayed}}
! {{abbr|Act.|Actual number of matches, including all replays}}
|-
! [[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]]
! 3
!colspan=2| 2
| semi-final, final
|-
! [[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]]
! 3
!colspan=2| 3
| round-robin group of 3
|-
! [[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]]
! 4
!colspan=2| 4
| semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]]
! 6
!colspan=2| 8
|rowspan=2| 2 groups of 3, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]]
! 6
!colspan=2| 8
|-
! [[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|rowspan=4| 2 groups of 4, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]]
! 8
! 16
! 17
|-
! [[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 18
| 2 groups of 4, final round-robin group of 4
|-
! [[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|rowspan=7| 2 groups of 4, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 16
|-
! [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]]
! 12
!colspan=2| 20
|rowspan=2| 4 groups of 3, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]]
! 12
!colspan=2| 20
|-
! [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]]
! 15
!colspan=2| 29
| 4 groups of 3–4, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|rowspan=6| 4 groups of 4, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]]
! 15
!colspan=2| 29
| 4 groups of 3–4, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|rowspan=4| 4 groups of 4, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 32
|-
! [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 52
|rowspan=5| 6 groups of 4, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 52
|-
! [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 52
|-
! [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations|2025]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 52
|-
! [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations|2027]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 52
|}

Since the [[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962 edition]], this competition has been held in two phases: a qualification phase (or called the elimination phase) and a final tournament. The host country of the final tournament is automatically qualified, and in the first editions the defending champion was also qualified for the following tournament.

=== Qualifying ===
[[File:Africa_cup_of_Nations_champions_as_of_2019.png|thumb|350x350px|Map of countries by their number of titles]]
The qualification phase has evolved over time according to the increasing number of nations affiliated to the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF). It was set up from [[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]], during the first two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, the founding nations of the CAF participated in the final tournament, namely [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]], [[Ethiopia national football team|Ethiopia]] and [[Sudan national football team|Sudan]] ([[South Africa national soccer team|South Africa]] was excluded just after its foundation due to [[Apartheid]]).

In 1962, new nations were affiliated and forced CAF to set up a qualifying phase for the final tournament in the form of knockout matches. This system was used until the [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992 edition]], when the organization of the qualifying phase became closer to that of the [[UEFA European Championship]], with qualifying groups of four to seven teams depending on the editions where each selection plays a round-trip opposition against each of its opponents, the qualified country being decided according to its classification within its group.

=== Final phase ===
Only the hosts received an automatic qualification spot, with the other 23 teams qualifying through a [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|qualification tournament]]. At the finals, the 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four teams each. The teams in each group played a single round robin.

After the group stage, the top two teams and the four best third-placed teams advanced to the round of 16. The winners advanced to the quarter-finals. The winners of the quarter-finals advanced to the semi-finals. The losers of the semi-finals played in a third-place play-off, while winners of the semi-finals played in the final.<ref name="regulations">{{cite web|title=Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations|url=http://www.cafonline.com/Portals/0/Regulations%20and%20Official%20Documents/Competitions%20Regulation/Regulation%20AFCON.pdf|publisher=Confederation of African Football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128135708/http://www.cafonline.com/Portals/0/Regulations%20and%20Official%20Documents/Competitions%20Regulation/Regulation%20AFCON.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Trophy and medals==
{{Main|Africa Cup of Nations trophy}}
[[File:Finales CAN 2021 (137).jpg|thumb|The current trophy.|left|290x290px]]
Throughout the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, three trophies have been awarded to the winners of the competition. The original trophy, made of silver, was the Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem Trophy, named after the first CAF president, [[Egypt]]ian [[Abdel Aziz Salem|Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem]]. As the first winner of three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] obtained the right to permanently hold the trophy in 1978.<ref name="BBC-Newtrophy">{{cite news
| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/1562471.stm
| publisher=BBC Sport
| title=Nations Cup trophy revealed
| access-date=16 March 2007
| date=25 September 2001
| archive-date=26 May 2022
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526023346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/1562471.stm
| url-status=live
}}</ref>

The second trophy was awarded from 1980 to 2000 and was named "Trophy of African Unity"<ref name="FIFA-adventure">
{{cite web
| url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=72067.html
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107090135/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=72067.html
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=7 January 2008
| publisher=FIFA
| title=The Great Adventure of African Football
| access-date=16 March 2007
| date=1 December 1997}}
</ref> or "African Unity Cup".<ref name="BBC-Newtrophy" /> It was given to CAF by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa prior to the 1980 tournament and it was a cylindrical piece with the [[Olympic symbols#Olympic rings|Olympic rings]] over a map of the continent engraved on it. It sat on a squared base and had stylized triangular handles. [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] won the Unity Cup indefinitely after they became three-time champions in 2000.

In 2001, the third trophy was revealed, a gold-plated cup designed and made in [[Italy]].<ref name="BBC-Newtrophy" /> Cameroon, permanent holders of the previous trophy, were the first nation to be awarded the new trophy after they won the 2002 edition. [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] won the gold-plated cup indefinitely after they became three-time champions in 2010. Unlike previous winners who would have then taken the trophy home, Egypt was presented with a special full-size replica that they were allowed to keep. The winner of each edition receives a replica whose dimensions are equal to that of the original trophy.

CAF give 30 gold medals to the winning team, 30 silver medals to the runners-up, 30 bronze medals to the team ranked third and 30 diplomas to the team ranked fourth in the final tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-13 |title=AFCON 2023: Exploring the rich history, evolving trophies in African football history — Edugist |url=https://edugist.org/afcon-2023-exploring-the-rich-history-evolving-trophies-in-african-football-history/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Results==
{{See also|List of Africa Cup of Nations finals}}
{{Africa Cup of Nations Champions}}
==Summary==
{| class="wikitable" bgcolor="#f7f8ff" style="font-size: 95%; border: gray 1px; border-collapse: collapse; width:100%"
! width="20%" |Team
! width="20%" |Winners
! width="20%" |Runners-up
! width="20%" |Third place
! width="20%" |Fourth place
! width="10%" |Total
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|EGY}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|7 ([[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]], [[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]][[#*|*]]<sup>[[#1|1]]</sup>, [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]][[#*|*]], [[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]], [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]][[#*|*]], [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|3 ([[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]]<sup>[[#1|1]]</sup>, [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]], [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|3 ([[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]]<sup>[[#1|1]]</sup>, [[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]]<sup>[[#1|1]]</sup>, [[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]][[#*|*]]) 
|bgcolor=#9acdff|3 ([[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]], [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]], [[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]])
|align=center|16
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|CMR}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|5 ([[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]], [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]], [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]], [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]], [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]], [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|2 ([[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]][[#*|*]], [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|1 ([[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]])
|align=center|10
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|GHA}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|4 ([[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]][[#*|*]], [[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]], [[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]][[#*|*]], [[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|5 ([[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]], [[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]], [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]], [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|4 ([[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]], [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]], [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]], [[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]])
|align=center|14
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|NGR}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|3 ([[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]][[#*|*]], [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]], [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|5 ([[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]], [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]], [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]], [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]][[#*|*]], [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|8 ([[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]], [[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]], [[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]], [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]], [[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]], [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]], [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]])
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|16
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|CIV}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|3 ([[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]], [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]], [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]], [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|4 ([[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]], [[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]], [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]], [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]], [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]])
|align=center|11
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|ALG}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|2 ([[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]][[#*|*]], [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|2 ([[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]], [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]])
|align=center|7
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|COD}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|2 ([[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]]<sup>[[#2|2]]</sup>, [[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]]<sup>[[#3|3]]</sup>)
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#cc9966|2 ([[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]], [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]]<sup>[[#3|3]]</sup>, [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]])
|align=center|6
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|ZAM}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]], [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|3 ([[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]], [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]], [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]])
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|6
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|TUN}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]][[#*|*]], [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|3 ([[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]], [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]], [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]])
|align=center|7
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|SUD}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]], [[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]][[#*|*]])
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|4
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|SEN}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|2 ([[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]], [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]]) 
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#9acdff|3 ([[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]], [[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]], [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]])
|align=center|6
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|RSA}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|2 ([[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]], [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]])
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|4
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|ETH}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]][[#*|*]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]], [[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]][[#*|*]])
|align=center|5
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|MAR}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]])
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]], [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]][[#*|*]])
|align=center|5
|-
|bgcolor=#fff68f|{{fb|CGO}}
|bgcolor=#fff68f|1 ([[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]])
|{{Sdash}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#9acdff|1 ([[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]])
|align=center|2
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|{{fb|MLI}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|2 ([[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]], [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|3 ([[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]], [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]][[#*|*]], [[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]])
|align=center|6
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|{{fb|BFA}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]])
|bgcolor=#cc9966|1 ([[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]])
|bgcolor=#9acdff|2 ([[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]][[#*|*]], [[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]])
|align=center|4
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|{{fb|UGA}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]])
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#9acdff|1 ([[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]])
|align=center|2
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|{{fb|GUI}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]])
|{{Sdash}}
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|1
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|{{fb|Libya}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0|1 ([[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]][[#*|*]])
|{{Sdash}}
|{{Sdash}}
|align=center|1
|-
|bgcolor=#9acdff|{{nowrap|{{fb|Equatorial Guinea}}}}
|{{Sdash}}
|{{Sdash}}
|{{Sdash}}
|bgcolor=#9acdff|1 ([[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]][[#*|*]])
|align=center|1
|}
:<div id="*"><nowiki>*</nowiki> ''hosts''</div>
:{{anchor|1}}<sup>1</sup> ''as [[Egypt national football team|United Arab Republic]]''
:{{anchor|2}}<sup>2</sup> ''as [[DR Congo national football team|Congo-Kinshasa]]''
:{{anchor|3}}<sup>3</sup> ''as [[DR Congo national football team|Zaire]]''

===All-time record===
[[File:Africa map - Africa Cup of Nations performances.png|thumb|379x379px|Countries coloured according to their highest ever achievement at the Africa Cup of Nations.{{legend|#2b42a3|Champion}} {{legend|#34c0be|Runner-up}} {{legend|#269c5a|Third place}} {{legend|#81c846|Fourth place}} {{legend|#e4e454|Quarter-finals}} {{legend|#ff9f40|Round of 16}} {{legend|#b94954|Group stage}}]]
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:99%;" width="55%"
! width="20%" |Tournaments
! width="20%" |Matches
! width="20%" |Goals scored
! width="20%" |Goals per match
|-
|[[1957 African Cup of Nations|1957]]
|2
|style="background-color:#F08080"|7
|3.50
|-
|[[1959 African Cup of Nations|1959]]
|3
|8
|2.67
|-
|[[1962 African Cup of Nations|1962]]
|4
|18
|style="background-color:#be9"|4.50
|-
|[[1963 African Cup of Nations|1963]]
|8
|33
|4.13
|-
|[[1965 African Cup of Nations|1965]]
|8
|31
|3.88
|-
|[[1968 African Cup of Nations|1968]]
|16
|52
|3.25
|-
|[[1970 African Cup of Nations|1970]]
|16
|51
|3.19
|-
|[[1972 African Cup of Nations|1972]]
|16
|53
|3.31
|-
|[[1974 African Cup of Nations|1974]]
|17
|54
|3.18
|-
|[[1976 African Cup of Nations|1976]]
|18
|54
|3.00
|-
|[[1978 African Cup of Nations|1978]]
|16
|38
|2.38
|-
|[[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]]
|16
|33
|2.06
|-
|[[1982 African Cup of Nations|1982]]
|16
|32
|2.00
|-
|[[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]]
|16
|39
|2.44
|-
|[[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]]
|16
|31
|1.94
|-
|[[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]]
|16
|23
|style="background-color:#F08080"|1.44
|-
|[[1990 African Cup of Nations|1990]]
|16
|30
|1.88
|-
|[[1992 African Cup of Nations|1992]]
|20
|34
|1.70
|-
|[[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]]
|20
|44
|2.20
|-
|[[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]]
|29
|78
|2.69
|-
|[[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]]
|32
|93
|2.91
|-
|[[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]]
|32
|73
|2.28
|-
|[[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]
|32
|48
|1.50
|-
|[[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]]
|32
|88
|2.75
|-
|[[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]]
|32
|73
|2.28
|-
|[[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]]
|32
|99
|3.09
|-
|[[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]]
|29
|71
|2.45
|-
|[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations|2012]]
|32
|76
|2.38
|-
|[[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]
|32
|69
|2.16
|-
|[[2015 Africa Cup of Nations|2015]]
|32
|68
|2.13
|-
|[[2017 Africa Cup of Nations|2017]]
|32
|66
|2.06
|-
|[[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]]
|52
|102
|1.96
|-
|[[2021 Africa Cup of Nations|2021]]
|52
|100
|1.92
|-
|[[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023]]
|52
|style="background-color:#be9"|119
|2.29
|}

===Champions by region===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:99%;" width="60%"
!Regional federation
!Champion(s)
!Title(s)
|-
|[[Union of North African Football Federations|UNAF (North Africa)]]
|[[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] (7), [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] (2), [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]] (1), [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]] (1)
|11
|-
|[[West African Football Union|WAFU (West Africa)]]
|[[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] (4), [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] (3), [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] (3), [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]] (1)
|11
|-
|[[Central African Football Federations' Union|UNIFFAC (Central Africa)]]
|[[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] (5), [[DR Congo national football team|DR Congo]] (2), [[Congo national football team|Congo]] (1)
|8
|-
|[[Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations|CECAFA (East Africa)]]
|[[Ethiopia national football team|Ethiopia]] (1), [[Sudan national football team|Sudan]] (1)
|2
|-
|[[Council of Southern Africa Football Associations|COSAFA (Southern Africa)]]
|[[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] (1), [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]] (1)
|2
|}

===Consecutive championships=== 
Teams that have won the Africa Cup of Nations consecutively and have become two-time champions (two consecutive titles) or three-time champions (three consecutive titles).
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:99%;" width="60%"
|-
! width="20%" |Team
! width="20%" |Two championships
! width="20%" |Three championships
|-
|style="text-align:left"|{{fb|EGY}}
|'''1:''' ([[1957 Africa Cup of Nations|1957]], [[1959 Africa Cup of Nations|'''1959''']])
|'''1:''' ([[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|'''2006''']], [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]])
|-
|style="text-align:left"|{{fb|GHA}}
|'''1:''' ([[1963 Africa Cup of Nations|'''1963''']], [[1965 Africa Cup of Nations|1965]])
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
|style="text-align:left"|{{fb|CMR}}
|'''1:''' ([[2000 Africa Cup of Nations|2000]], [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations|2002]])
|style="text-align:center"|—
|-
|}
'''Bold''' indicate tournament hosts
{{clear}}

==Records and statistics==
{{Main|Africa Cup of Nations records and statistics}}

==Awards==
{{Main|Africa Cup of Nations awards}}
There are currently six post-tournament awards
* the '''Best Player''' for [[most valuable player]];
* the '''Top Goal-scorer''' for most prolific goal scorer;
* the '''Best Goalkeeper''' for most outstanding goalkeeper;
* the '''Best Young Player''' for most outstanding young player;
* the '''Team of the Tournament''' for best combined team of players at the tournament;
* the '''Fair Play Award''' for the team with the best record of fair play.

==See also==
*[[African Nations Championship]]
*[[Women's Africa Cup of Nations]]
*[[U-23 Africa Cup of Nations]]
*[[U-20 Africa Cup of Nations]]
*[[U-17 Africa Cup of Nations]]
*[[List of Africa Cup of Nations official mascots]]
*[[List of Africa Cup of Nations official match balls]]
*[[List of Africa Cup of Nations songs and anthems]]
*[[List of association football competitions]]

{{Portal|Football in Africa}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=n}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305212207/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=1997/m=12/news=the-great-adventure-african-football-72067.html The Great Adventure of African Football] ([[FIFA]])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081118144920/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Society/acup/History/091302000000000001.htm History of African Nations cup since 1957] (Egypt State Information Service)

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afrchamp.html African Nations Cup] at the [[RSSSF]]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3374029.stm Historical records] from [[BBC Sport]]

{{Africa Cup of Nations}}
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