The Africa Cup of Nations, sometimes referred to as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, or simply AFCON or CAN, is the main international men's association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years, switching to odd-numbered years in 2013 and returned back to even-numbered years in 2022.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the administrative and controlling body for association football, futsal and beach soccer in Africa. It was established on 8 February 1957 at the Grand Hotel in Khartoum, Sudan by the national football associations of Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sudan, following formal discussions between the aforementioned associations at the FIFA Congress held on 7 June 1956 at Avenida Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Nigeria national football team represents Nigeria in men's international football. Governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), they are three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, with their most recent title in 2013. In April 1994, the Nigerian national football team was ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings, the highest FIFA ranking position ever achieved by an African football team. Throughout history, the team has qualified for six of the last eight FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions. They have reached the round of 16 on three occasions. Their first World Cup appearance was the 1994 edition. The team is a member of FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Egypt national football team, known colloquially as "the Pharaohs", represents Egypt in men's international football, and is governed by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), the governing body of football in Egypt. The team's historical stadium is Cairo International Stadium, although matches are sometimes played at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
The Morocco national football team represents Morocco in men's international football and is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Morocco.
The Ethiopia national football team, nicknamed Walia, after the Walia ibex, represents Ethiopia in men's international football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia. The team has been representing Ethiopia in regional, continental, and international competitions since its founding in 1943. The Walias play their home games at Addis Ababa Stadium located in the capital city of Addis Ababa. They are currently ranked 150th in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings and 44th in CAF.
The Sudan national football team represents Sudan in international football and is controlled by the Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in Sudan. Its home ground is Khartoum Stadium in the capital Khartoum. In 1957, it was one of the three teams to participate in the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations, the other two being Egypt and Ethiopia.
The Syria national football team represents Syria in international football, and is controlled by the Syrian Arab Federation for Football, the governing body for football in Syria. Syria has never qualified for the World Cup finals, but did reach the fourth qualification round in 2018. The team is currently banned by FIFA from playing at home, as they have not hosted a game since December 2010. Internationally, Syria won the 2012 WAFF Championship, 1957 Arab Games and the 1987 Mediterranean Games.
The Gambia national football team represents The Gambia in men's international football and is controlled by the Gambia Football Federation. Until 1965, the team and the country were known as British Gambia. The team has never qualified for the World Cup. In 2021, Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in history. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Eritrea national football team represents Eritrea in men's international football and it is controlled by the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF). It is nicknamed the Red Sea Boys. It has never qualified for the finals of the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Local side Red Sea FC are the main supplier for the national team, The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Aymen Mathlouthi, also known as Balbouli, is a Tunisian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Étoile du Sahel.
The Egypt women's national football team, nicknamed "the Cleopatras", represents Egypt in international women's football. It is managed by the Egyptian Football Association, the governing body of football in the country.
Ahmed Musa is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward and left winger for Turkish Süper Lig club Sivasspor and the Nigeria national team.
The South Sudan national football team represents South Sudan in international football and is controlled by the South Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in South Sudan.
Munir Mohand Mohamedi El Kajoui, known simply as Munir, is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Saudi Professional League club Al Wehda and the Morocco national team.
Ali Maâloul is a Tunisian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Egyptian Premier League club Al Ahly and the Tunisia national team.
Funsho Ibrahim Bamgboye is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club Rapid București.
Badr Benoun is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Qatar Stars League club Qatar SC and the Morocco national team. He is nicknamed "Sultan". He started his professional career playing for Raja CA.
Olivier Mbaissidara Mbaizo is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Cameroon national team.
The Sudan women's national football team is the representative women's association football team of Sudan. Its governing body is the Sudan Football Association (SFA) and it competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The national team's first international competition was in 2021, when they played in the Arab Women's Cup.
