AFCON 2023 is here, so strap in and find out everything you need to know about the continental tournament.
The 34th edition of the tournament, AFCON 2023 is being played in the opening months of 2024 because CAF postponed the tournament in July 2022 due to adverse summer weather concerns in host nation Ivory Coast.
Reigning champions Senegal are still looking to win consecutive titles, with their 2021 final opponents Egypt knocked out in the last 16.
Where will AFCON 2023 take place?
Which country is hosting AFCON 2023?
AFCON 2023 is being played in Ivory Coast. They were announced as hosts in January 2019. CAF originally stripped Cameroon from hosting the 2019 edition due to lack of speed of progress in hosting preparations, but reneged by handing them the 2021 tournament.
Ivory Coast, though, were originally scheduled to host that AFCON, so were pushed back until 2023.
Dates and fixtures
What are the dates for AFCON 2023?
AFCON kicked off on January 13 with Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissua, with the group stages concluding on January 24.
From there, 16 teams progressed to the knockout rounds, with the round of 16 taking place between January 27 and January 30. Following a day's rest, the quarter-finals will then be played on February 2 and 3.
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The semi-finals will take place on the same day, on February 7, before the final on February 11.
South Africa 0-0 Tunisia
Namibia 0-0 Mali
Tanzania 0-0 DR Congo
Zambia 0-1 Morocco
Round of 16
January 27
Angola 2-0 Namibia
Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
January 28
Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Guinea
Egypt 1-1 DR Congo (DR Congo won 8-7 on penalties)
January 29
Cape Verde vs Mauritania, 5pm GMT
Senegal vs Ivory Coast, 8pm GMT
January 30
Mali vs Burkina Faso, 5pm GMT
Morocco vs South Africa, 8pm GMT
How to watch
How to watch AFCON 2023 for free
AFCON 2023 is available for the majority of fans all around the world - including the UK - with the tournament being broadcast on the free-to-air CAF YouTube channel.
American fans will need to watch the tournament on beIN Sports, though, with Sling Blue, and Fubo TV offering options to watch AFCON.
Qualified countries
Which countries qualified for AFCON 2023?
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Egypt
Ghana
Cape Verde
Mozambique
Senegal
Cameroon
Guinea
Gambia
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Angola
Mauritania
Tunisia
Mali
South Africa
Namibia
Morocco
DR Congo
Zambia
Tanzania
How many teams are at AFCON 2023?
There will be 24 teams competing at Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
Squads
The final AFCON 2023 squads have been announced.
Senegal are the favourites to win the tournament, while Morocco are tipped for a strong showing after their World Cup exploits. Algeria are also expected to do well in Ivory Coast.
Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon also head to the tournament full of talent and hopeful of glory.
The AFCON 2023 opening fixture will kick-off at 8pm GMT, with group fixtures also played at 2pm and 5pm. The knockout fixtures will be split between 5pm GMT and 8pm GMT.
Named after legendary Ivorian forward Laurent Pokou, the official match ball for AFCON is named Pokou and manufactured by Puma.
Mascot
What is the mascot for AFCON 2023?
AFCON mascot Akwaba (Image credit: CAS)
Akwaba is the official mascot, which is an elephant, Ivory Coast's animal symbol. Its kit bears resemblance to Ivory Coast's home coasts.
Song
What is the official song for AFCON 2023?
The official song is a fusion of afrobeat, rap and zouglou, featuring Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, Egyptian rapper Mohamed Ramadan and Ivorian music band Magic System.
Named 'Akwaba', the song means 'Welcome' in the native language of Baoule and was officially unveiled by CAF in October 2023.
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Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
