- The history of AFCON: how it began
- The history of AFCON: the first tournament in 1957
- The history of AFCON: Egypt and the early champions
- The history of AFCON: growth to 24 teams
- The history of AFCON: Nigeria's three titles
- The history of AFCON: recent winners
- The history of AFCON: the most successful nations
- The history of AFCON: the disputed 2025 title
- Why the history of AFCON matters
- Frequently asked questions about the history of AFCON
- When did AFCON begin?
- Which country has won AFCON the most times?
- How many times has Nigeria won AFCON?
- Who won the most recent settled AFCON?
- Why is the 2025 AFCON title disputed?
- How often is AFCON held?
- Conclusion
The history of AFCON starts in 1957, when three nations met in Khartoum for the first Africa Cup of Nations. Since that small beginning, the tournament has grown into the biggest football event on the African continent. It has produced great champions, famous finals and unforgettable nights for fans from Lagos to Cairo. Egypt lead the winners list with seven titles, while Nigeria have lifted the trophy three times. This guide follows the tournament from its first match to the disputed 2025 title. It covers the founding, the great teams, the record winners and the recent champions.
Last updated: November 2026
Quick Answer
- The history of AFCON began in 1957, when Egypt won the first title in Khartoum.
- Egypt lead the winners list with seven titles, ahead of Cameroon with five and Ghana with four.
- Only 15 nations have won the tournament in 34 editions through 2023.
- Nigeria have won three titles: 1980, 1994 and 2013.
- The 2025 title is disputed and unresolved as of November 2026.
The history of AFCON: how it began
In fact, the idea for AFCON came in June 1956, at a FIFA congress in Lisbon. At that meeting, African football leaders proposed the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the body that runs the tournament to this day. After that, CAF organised the first Africa Cup of Nations less than a year later, in February 1957.
From the start, CAF planned the tournament as the main international men’s football competition in Africa. Indeed, the tournament takes place every two years. From 2013, it switched to odd-numbered years, so it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup. In fact, that change gave AFCON a clear space in the football calendar, and fans across the continent mark the tournament dates with pride.
The history of AFCON: the first tournament in 1957
The first tournament took place in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, in February 1957. In fact, four founding nations were meant to take part: Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and South Africa. However, South Africa were disqualified before a ball was kicked, because they refused to field a multi-racial team under apartheid. As a result, only three nations played, and only two matches were played in the first tournament in the history of AFCON.
Egypt beat hosts Sudan 2-1 in the semi-final. After that, Egypt beat Ethiopia 4-0 in the final to become the first champions of Africa. There was no qualification for the first tournament, because only three teams took part. The small start gave no hint of the huge tournament AFCON would become.
The history of AFCON: Egypt and the early champions
Indeed, Egypt set the standard in the early years of the tournament. The Pharaohs won the first title in 1957 and kept the trophy in 1959, when they won the second tournament. After that, other nations took their turn. For example, Ethiopia won in 1962, Ghana won in 1963 and 1965, and DR Congo won in 1968. In addition, Sudan won their only title in 1970, and Congo won their only title in 1972.
Egypt returned to the top in 1986, and they added titles in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. In total, Egypt have won seven titles: 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. They are the only nation to win three titles in a row, in 2006, 2008 and 2010. After the 2010 win, Egypt kept the trophy for good. In addition, Ghana’s four titles, won in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982, put them third in the all-time list.
The history of AFCON: growth to 24 teams
The tournament grew step by step. It started with three teams in 1957, and CAF introduced a qualifying tournament in 1962, so more nations could fight for a place at the finals. After that, the finals grew through the decades, and the tournament has featured 24 teams since 2019. As a result, the bigger format gave smaller nations a chance to reach the finals, and it made the group stage longer and harder.
Cameroon became a great force as the tournament grew. The Indomitable Lions won five titles: 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017. In addition, new champions emerged in this era. Morocco won their only title in 1976, South Africa won on their return in 1996, Tunisia won in 2004, and Zambia won a famous first title in 2012. Algeria won in 1990 and again in 2019.
The history of AFCON: Nigeria’s three titles
Nigeria’s three titles give the Super Eagles a proud place in the history of AFCON. Nigeria first won the trophy in 1980, and the win made the Super Eagles champions of Africa for the first time. After that, Nigeria won again in 1994, with a strong team that also shone at the World Cup in the same year. The third title came in 2013, and it ended a wait of 19 years since the second.
However, Nigeria have also reached the final without winning it. For example, Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 final, so the Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the most recent settled tournament. For the full story of the national team, read our guide to Super Eagles history.
The history of AFCON: recent winners
Recent tournaments have produced new champions and tight finals. Cameroon won the 2017 title by beating Egypt 2-1 in the final. After that, Algeria won the 2019 title by beating Senegal 1-0. Senegal then won their first title in 2021, beating Egypt on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
After that, Ivory Coast won the 2023 title by beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final. In fact, the tournament took place in Ivory Coast in January and February 2024, and the hosts lifted the trophy in front of their own fans. For the full list of every champion, read our AFCON winners list.
The history of AFCON: the most successful nations
In fact, in 34 editions through 2023, only 15 nations have won AFCON. The table shows how much Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana have dominated the tournament, with 16 titles between them.
| Country | AFCON titles |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 7 |
| Cameroon | 5 |
| Ghana | 4 |
| Nigeria | 3 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 |
| Algeria | 2 |
| DR Congo | 2 |
| Zambia | 1 |
| Tunisia | 1 |
| Sudan | 1 |
| Ethiopia | 1 |
| Morocco | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Congo | 1 |
| Senegal | 1 |
The 2025 title does not appear in this table, because it is disputed and unresolved. As of November 2026, the settled titles through 2023 add up to 34.
The history of AFCON: the disputed 2025 title
The 2025 tournament took place in Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January 2026. However, the result did not stand as the final word. After the final, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, recorded a 3-0 win for Morocco, and named Morocco champions.
Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). As of November 2026, the CAS ruling was still pending, so the 2025 title remains disputed and unresolved. In other words, no settled champion exists for 2025. This article does not count 2025 in the titles table or the recent-winners list, and fans should treat the 2025 title as open until CAS rules.
Why the history of AFCON matters
The history of AFCON matters because the tournament belongs to the whole continent. It brings together nations from every corner of Africa, and it gives players from smaller leagues a stage to shine. Indeed, the tournament has launched the careers of great African stars, and it fills stadiums with colour, music and noise that no other competition can match.
AFCON also matters for national pride. For example, a title lifts a whole country, and a strong run can unite fans behind their team for weeks. The next tournament lies ahead, and fans across Africa will watch it with the same passion as always.
Frequently asked questions about the history of AFCON
These are the questions fans ask most about the history of AFCON.
When did AFCON begin?
In 1957. Indeed, Egypt won the first tournament in Khartoum, Sudan, by beating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final.
Which country has won AFCON the most times?
Egypt, with seven titles: 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
How many times has Nigeria won AFCON?
Three times: 1980, 1994 and 2013. Nigeria also finished as runners-up in 2023.
Who won the most recent settled AFCON?
Ivory Coast, who beat Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 final. The tournament took place in Ivory Coast in January and February 2024.
Why is the 2025 AFCON title disputed?
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final, but CAF’s Appeals Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, recorded a 3-0 win for Morocco, and named Morocco champions. Senegal appealed to CAS, and the ruling was still pending as of November 2026.
How often is AFCON held?
Every two years. From 2013, it takes place in odd-numbered years, so it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup.
Conclusion
Overall, the history of AFCON runs from Egypt’s first title in Khartoum in 1957 to Ivory Coast’s win in 2023, with the 2025 title still disputed. Egypt’s seven titles set the standard, and Nigeria’s three titles give the Super Eagles a proud place in the story. From three teams in 1957 to 24 teams today, the tournament has grown into Africa’s greatest football event. For more football stories, visit our Sports News page. Follow the next matches on our free live scores page, and see ideas for upcoming matches on our free football predictions page.