The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, originally slated for June-July, has been rescheduled to January 13 – February 11 due to weather concerns in the Ivory Coast. Hosted by Ivory Coast, this tournament features 24 teams, with Senegal defending their 2021 title. The decision to move the competition aligns with the shift since 2019 to hold the Africa Cup of Nations during the summer to avoid conflicts with the European domestic season.
The 24 teams are divided into six groups, where the top two from each group and the four best third-place finishers advance to the knockout stages. The knockout rounds include the last 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place play-off, and the final. Typically held biennially, the 2023 rescheduling shortens the wait to the 2025 edition in Morocco, scheduled for June-July. Additionally, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the first time the tournament spans three nations in East Africa since 1976.
Egypt leads with seven titles, Cameroon follows with five, and Ghana has four. Senegal, the current champions, secured their first victory in 2021. With 15 different winners and 20 finalists in total, the Africa Cup of Nations boasts a rich history.
While broadcast rights for the 2023 event remain undisclosed, previous editions, including the 2021 tournament, had shared coverage through the BBC. The draw, which occurred on October 12, divided teams into six groups, setting the stage for an exciting competition.