With just a few hours remaining until the kick-off of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt stands poised as the most decorated team in the history of the tournament, having clinched the title seven times.
Over the course of the 33 previous editions, the tournament has undergone several modifications, ranging from a three-team participation to the current format of 24 teams.
FilGoal.com presents the key details of the current and previous tournament formats, as well as insights into the stadiums hosting the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.
Tournament Format:
– 24 teams will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive edition, setting a record for the highest number of participating teams.
– The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each.
– The top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, secure their spots in the Round of 16.
– The knockout stage, from the Round of 16 to the final, follows a single-elimination format.
However, in case two teams competing for a qualification spot have equal points, the following criteria will be applied to determine the ranking:
1. Head-to-head result between the two teams, and if the draw persists,
2. Goal difference, and if the draw continues,
3. The team that scored more goals.
If three teams have equal points, only the results against each other will be considered, excluding the fourth-placed team.
If the tie persists, the previous criteria will be followed, and if the deadlock remains, a draw will determine the final standings.
Host Venues:
The 2023 edition will be hosted in various stadiums across Ivory Coast, showcasing the vibrant football culture of the nation.
The stadiums are expected to provide an exciting backdrop to the intense battles between the participating teams.
Previous Format:
The Africa Cup of Nations started with only three teams in the 1957 and 1959 editions before expanding to four teams in 1962.
Subsequent increases led to six teams in 1963 and 1965.
Since the 1968 edition, the number of teams has fluctuated, reaching eight teams for 12 consecutive editions.
It was further increased to 12 teams in the 1992 and 1994 editions.
The tournament witnessed a significant expansion to 16 teams starting from the 20th edition, maintaining this format for 11 consecutive editions.
Egypt hosted the 2019 edition with 24 teams participating for the first time, continuing under the same format for the current edition.
As the football world eagerly awaits the kickoff, the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 promises to be a spectacle of talent, competition, and passion on the Ivory Coast pitches.
Stadiums:
1. Hassan Wattara Stadium (Olympic Stadium):
Formerly known as the National Stadium, the Hassan Wattara Stadium, named after Ivory Coast’s current president, boasts a seating capacity of 60,000, making it the largest stadium in the country and one of the newest in Africa.
Inaugurated in 2020, the stadium is located between the cities of Ebimpé and Anyama, away from Abidjan.
Originally intended for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, it became the host for the 2023 edition after Cameroon’s withdrawal.
The Hassan Wattara Stadium will witness ten matches during the tournament, including the opening clash between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau and the grand final.
2. Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium:
This stadium, with a capacity of 33,000 spectators, will host matches featuring the Egyptian national team.
Named after Ivory Coast’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium was constructed in 1964 and formerly known as André Géo Stadium.
It has a history of hosting rugby and athletics events and previously hosted the inaugural edition of the African Nations Championship in 2009.
The stadium will host ten matches, including all three group-stage fixtures for the Egyptian team, as well as four knockout-stage matches, including the third-place play-off.
3. Stade de la Paix (Peace Stadium):
Built in 1984 as part of Ivory Coast’s plan to host the Africa Cup of Nations, Stade de la Paix currently has a capacity of 40,000.
All sporting activities were suspended from 2002 to 2007 due to the civil war crisis, during which it served as a headquarters for the so-called New Forces.
Renovations took place in 2007, and the stadium hosted a match against Madagascar during the national reconciliation period.
The stadium will host nine matches, including those of Group D, featuring Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.
4. Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium:
One of the new stadiums built for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023, the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000.
Construction began in September 2018 and concluded after five years.
Named after Amadou Gon Coulibaly, a former prime minister who served until his passing in 2020, the stadium will host matches for Group E, featuring Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia, along with one Round of 16 and one quarter-final match.
5. Laurent Pokou Stadium:
Another newly constructed stadium for the tournament, the Laurent Pokou Stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000.
Opening in September 2023, the stadium was inaugurated with an official match between Ivory Coast and Lesotho during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Named after Ivory Coast legend Laurent Pokou, the stadium will host matches for Group F, featuring Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania, in addition to one Round of 16 and one quarter-final match.
6. Charles Konan Banny Stadium:
Located in Yamoussoukro, the Charles Konan Banny Stadium was inaugurated in June 2022.
Initially scheduled to open in September 2021, the stadium faced security concerns, resulting in its delayed official opening.
Named after Charles Konan Banny, who served as prime minister from December 2005 to April 2007, the stadium will host matches for Group C, featuring Senegal, Cameroon, Gambia, and Guinea, along with one Round of 16 and one quarter-final match.
As Ivory Coast welcomes the continent’s football elite, these modern arenas promise not just matches but an immersive experience for fans and players alike, contributing to the rich legacy of the Africa Cup of Nations.
