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Africa Cup of Nations Overview

BDO Power Rankings: Kane leads Haaland as Vini makes move

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going.

Morocco legend Regragui offers shock resignation ahead of World Cup

Walid Regragui has sent shockwaves through international football by offering his resignation just four months before the 2026 World Cup. The 50-year-old manager, who became a national hero during the 2022 tournament, is reportedly mentally exhausted following a heart-breaking African Cup of Nations final defeat to Senegal. His decision leaves the Atlas Lions in a state of total and sudden uncertainty.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi

Senegal boss & Morroco's Hakimi banned after AFCON final chaos

Senegal boss Pape Thiaw and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi have been hit with a ban following the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal's dramatic 1-0 win over the tournament's hosts was marred by violence, Thiaw calling his players to walk off the pitch in protest over the officiating, and Brahim Diaz's wretched Panenka penalty. Now, bans and fines have been handed out by the Confederation of African Football.

Ex-Senegal star reveals plea to Sadio Mane in AFCON final after walk-off

Mamadou Niang has disclosed the crucial conversation he had with Sadio Mane that prevented the Africa Cup of Nations final from descending into chaos. The former Marseille striker intervened as the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest at a late penalty decision, urging his compatriot to ensure the team finished the game "like men" before their eventual dramatic victory.

📽️ | Ronaldo & Co. give Mane hero's welcome after AFCON triumph

Sadio Mane was given a hero's welcome by his Al-Nassr teammates following Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations success. Mane captained the Lions of Teranga to a second AFCON triumph in their history in Morocco last weekend as Senegal claimed a drama-filled 1-0 win over the tournament hosts courtesy of Pape Gueye's extra-time winner in Rabat.

Henry immediately throws out Carragher AFCON suggestion

Thierry Henry dismissed a suggestion from fellow pundit Jamie Carragher as the pair discussed the recent Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. Former Liverpool defender Carragher has been criticised in the past for suggesting that the AFCON should not be considered a "major tournament", and has now raised the question as to whether European referees should be recruited in a bid to improve officiating standards. However, legendary ex-France and Arsenal striker Henry quickly rejected that opinion.

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	Lyon	8	7	0	1	18	5	13	21	W W W W L
2	Aston Villa	8	7	0	1	14	6	8	21	W W W W W
3	FC Midtjylland	8	6	1	1	18	8	10	19	W D W L W
4	Real Betis	8	5	2	1	13	7	6	17	W L W W W
5	FC Porto	8	5	2	1	13	7	6	17	W D W W D

Pos

Team

+/-

PTS

Form

Lyon

W
W
W
W
L

Aston Villa

W
W
W
W
W

FC Midtjylland

W
D
W
L
W

Real Betis

W
L
W
W
W

FC Porto

W
D
W
W
D

Frequently asked questions

Who has won the most AFCON titles?

Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

How many teams are in the AFCON?

The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.

Who has made the most AFCON appearances ever?

Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.

Who is the all-time top scorer of the AFCON?

Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.

Who is the oldest player ever in the AFCON and how old was he?

Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

Who is the youngest player ever in the AFCON and how old was he?

Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.

Which famous players have played in the AFCON?

Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Which famous managers have managed in the AFCON?

Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.