The countdown is nearly over for African football fans as the official draw for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to take place this Friday in Egypt. The organizing committee has chosen an iconic and symbolic venue for the ceremony: the foot of the Pyramids of Giza, offering a spectacular backdrop for one of the most anticipated moments ahead of the continental showpiece.
Announced as a colorful and festive event, the ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. GMT with a series of speeches from football and political officials, alongside musical performances designed to celebrate African culture. The highlight of the evening, the official group-stage draw, is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. GMT and is expected to last approximately 40 minutes.
CAF (Confederation of African Football) has confirmed the participation of several legendary figures from African football, adding further prestige to the event. Four former stars will take part in the draw procedure alongside CAF Deputy Secretary General Anthony Baffoe. These include Ivorian icon Yaya Touré, former Egyptian captain and record international Ahmed Hassan, Senegalese legend El Hadji Diouf, and Morocco’s former Ballon d’Or finalist Mustapha Hadji. Their presence reflects CAF’s desire to connect the competition’s present with its glorious past.
The ceremony will also welcome a high-profile guest from world football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to attend, underlining the growing importance of the Africa Cup of Nations on the global football calendar, particularly with the competition entering a new era in terms of format and organization.
Hosting duties for the evening have been entrusted to Mariam Amin, a well-known Egyptian television and radio presenter. Her role will be central in guiding viewers through the different stages of the ceremony, from the opening formalities to the eagerly awaited draw itself.
On Thursday, CAF officially unveiled the composition of the pots for the group-stage draw, based on the latest FIFA rankings. As expected, the strongest nations on the continent have been placed in Pot 1. Host nation Egypt headline the group, alongside Morocco, Tunisia, reigning champions Cameroon, Senegal, and Nigeria. These six teams will each lead one of the six groups in the tournament.
The 2019 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be historic in more ways than one. For the first time since the competition’s creation, 24 teams will participate, an expansion from the traditional 16-team format. The new structure will feature six groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stages.
Another major change concerns the timing of the tournament. Traditionally held in January or February, the 2019 AFCON will take place during the summer, running from June 21 to July 19. This shift aims to improve playing conditions and align the competition more closely with international football calendars.
With the draw just hours away, excitement continues to build as teams and supporters await the matchups that will define the early stages of Africa’s premier football tournament.
