The Africa Cup of Nations is back!
Initially scheduled for the summer of 2023, the latest edition of this beloved tournament was eventually delayed but is set to kick off this month, with 24 teams gearing up to battle for the title.
The participants have been split into six groups of four, and with AFCON taking place in the middle of the season, some of the biggest names in the world have departed their clubs to represent their national teams. This includes the likes of Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi, Mohammed Kudus, and Riyad Mahrez.
However, when exactly will the competition begin and how can fans of the beautiful game catch the action live on TV or through streaming? Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Where can I watch AFCON 2023 games live on TV?
BeIN Sports holds the U.S. broadcasting rights for the Africa Cup of Nations and will televise the games to fans via beIN Sports USA and Spanish-language channel beIN SPORTS en Español.
- Germany: Sportdigital FUSSBALL
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports UK
- France: beIN Sports France
- Portugal: Sport TV Portugal
- Italy: SportItalia
- Brazil: Band and BandSports
- Australia: beIN SPORTS Australia
- Ivory Coast: RTI La 3, NCI, New World Sport1, and RTI
- Morocco: beIN Sports 1 AFCON, beIN Sports 2 AFCON, and Arryadia 3
- Senegal: Canal+ Sport 1 Afrique, New World Sport1, and RTS 1
- South Africa: SABC Sport, Startimes Sports Premium, and Startimes Sports Life
- Egypt: beIN Sports 1 AFCON, beIN Sports 2 AFCON, and ON Time Sports
- Nigeria: Canal+ Sport 1 Afrique, Startimes Sports Life, Startimes Sports Premium, and NTA Sports 24
- Ghana: Startimes Sports Premium, Canal+ Sport 1 Afrique, Startimes Sports Life, and GTV Sports+
Where can I stream live AFCON 2023 games online for this season?
BeIN Sports holds the U.S. broadcasting rights for the Africa Cup of Nations. As a result, beIN SPORTS CONNECT is the go-to option for streaming the tournament live. Additionally, beIN Sports USA streams are also available via fuboTV, Sling TV, and Fanatiz.
- Germany: DAZN
- United Kingdom: SKY GO Extra, Sky Go UK, and NOW
- France: beIN SPORTS CONNECT
- Portugal: Sport TV Multiscreen
- Italy: SI Colo Calcio
- Brazil: Band Play
- Australia: beIN Sports Connect
- Ivory Coast: New World Sport App
- Morocco: SNRT Live, beIN SPORTS CONNECT
- Senegal: New World Sport App
- South Africa: SABC Plus and StarTimes App
- Egypt: beIN SPORTS CONNECT
- Nigeria: StarTimes App
- Ghana: StarTimes App
Which teams qualified for AFCON 2023?
Ivory Coast qualified automatically for this competition as hosts and were joined by 23 other teams that booked their tickets to this tournament via the qualifiers. They are:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Zambia
What are the AFCON 2023 groups?
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guinée Équatoriale | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 7 | GGN | |
| 2 | Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 | GGN | |
| 3 | Côte d'Ivoire | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | PPG | |
| 4 | Guinée-Bissau | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 | PPP |
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cap-Vert | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 | NGG | |
| 2 | Egypte | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | NNN | |
| 3 | Ghana | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 2 | NNP | |
| 4 | Mozambique | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 2 | NPN |
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sénégal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 | GGG | |
| 2 | Cameroun | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 | GPN | |
| 3 | Guinée | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 | PGN | |
| 4 | Gambie | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 | PPP |
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angola | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | GGN | |
| 2 | Burkina Faso | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 | PNG | |
| 3 | Mauritanie | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 | GPP | |
| 4 | Algérie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 | PNN |
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mali | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 | NNG | |
| 2 | Afrique du Sud | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | NGP | |
| 3 | Namibie | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 4 | NPG | |
| 4 | Tunisie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 | NNP |
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maroc | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 | GNG | |
| 2 | RD Congo | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | NNN | |
| 3 | Zambie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 | PNN | |
| 4 | Tanzanie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 2 | NNP |
When does AFCON 2023 start?
The competition kicks off on Saturday, January 13. Hosts Ivory Coast get things underway with the opening game, taking on Guinea-Bissau at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. PT.
For fans in Africa, the opening game kicks off at 23:00 Eastern Africa Time / 22:00 Central Africa Time / 21:00 West Africa Time / 20:00 GMT / 19:00 Cape Verde Time.
When does AFCON 2023 end?
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final is scheduled for February 11, 2024. Likewise, the curtain closer kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. PT. For fans in Africa, the final commences at 23:00 Eastern Africa Time / 22:00 Central Africa Time / 21:00 West Africa Time / 20:00 GMT / 19:00 Cape Verde Time.
Which team has won the most titles in AFCON history?
Egypt, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up, are the most successful team in this competition's history, winning the coveted title seven times, including three consecutive trophies in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Who are the AFCON 2023 defending champions?
Senegal are the reigning champions, with Sadio Mane's side beating Egypt on penalties in the 2021 final. That was the first time the Lions of Teranga lifted the title in history, and as a result, this will be the first time they enter this tournament as the defending champions.
Who are the favorites to win AFCON 2023?
One nation stands head and shoulders above the rest: Morocco. Following their spectacular 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in which they beat Spain and Portugal in the knockout round to become the first African and first Arab country to reach the semifinal stage, expectations will be exceptionally high for the Atlas Lions.
Additionally, Senegal and Nigeria should fancy their odds of going all the way. The Lions of Teranga are the reigning champions while the Super Eagles boast one of, if not the most star-studded squad of the tournament, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey all making the roster — though Leverkusen hitman Victor Boniface has sadly been ruled out.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah-led Egypt will want to reclaim the throne as Africa's best national team while hosts Ivory Coast enter as the dark horse.
And without further ado, here are the Africa Cup of Nations fixtures in full alongside their broadcasting info. For further information, please refer to our dedicated AFCON page here.
