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Complete History of AFCON Champions from 1957 to 2026

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has crowned over fifteen different nations as champions since its start in 1957. From Egypt's early dominance to Senegal's recent triumphs, this tournament has showcased Africa's top footballing nations. As of 2026, fifteen countries have lifted the coveted trophy, with Senegal joining the multiple title winners following their 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025-26 final held in Rabat.

Overview of AFCON Winners and Their Titles

  • Egypt: 7 titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) - Venues include Municipal Stadium, Prince Farouk Stadium, Stade du 4-Aout, Ohene Djan Stadium
  • Cameroon: 5 titles (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017) - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Stade Mohamed V, Stade du 26 Mars, Stade de I'Amitie
  • Ghana: 4 titles (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) - Stade du 11-Juin, Accra Sports Stadium, Chedly Zouiten Stadium
  • Nigeria: 3 titles (1980, 1994, 2013) - FNB Stadium, Stade El Menzah, National Stadium Lagos
  • Ivory Coast: 3 titles (1992, 2015, 2023) - Stade de I'Amitie, Estadio de Bata, Alassane Ouattara Stadium
  • Algeria: 2 titles (1990, 2019) - Cairo International Stadium, Stade 5 Juillet 1962
  • DR Congo: 2 titles (1968, 1974) - Nasser Stadium, Addis Ababa Stadium
  • Senegal: 2 titles (2021, 2026) - Olembe Omnisport Stadium, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
  • Zambia: 1 title (2012) - Stade d'Angondje
  • Tunisia: 1 title (2004) - Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium
  • Sudan: 1 title (1970) - Municipal Stadium
  • South Africa: 1 title (1996) - FNB Stadium
  • Ethiopia: 1 title (1962) - Addis Ababa Stadium
  • Morocco: 1 title (1976) - Addis Ababa Stadium
  • Congo: 1 title (1972) - Stade Omnisports

Key Highlights from the AFCON Champions

Egypt leads with seven titles, including winning the very first tournament in 1957 and a rare three-peat from 2006 to 2010. Cameroon follows closely with five titles, known for back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2002, and their latest in 2017 after defeating Egypt 2-1. The Ghana team, with four titles, dominated particularly during the 1960s to the 1980s, clinching their first in 1963 by beating Sudan 3-0.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast each hold three titles. Nigeria secured theirs in 1980, 1994, and 2013, while Ivory Coast triumphed notably on penalties against Ghana in both 1992 and 2015, with their most recent win on home soil in 2023.

Algeria has won twice, first in 1990 with a lone goal against Nigeria, and again in 2019 by defeating Senegal. DR Congo also owns two titles, securing wins in 1968 and 1974, with their second title decided in a replay match.

Senegal has risen recently, grabbing their first title in 2021 after several runner-up finishes and claiming their second in 2026 thanks to Sadio Mane’s inspired performances. Zambia, Tunisia, Sudan, South Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Congo each have one championship title, marking significant milestones in their football histories.

Frequently Asked Questions About AFCON Winners

  • Who has won the most AFCON titles? Egypt holds the record with 7 titles.
  • How many titles has Senegal won? Senegal has won 2 titles as of 2026.
  • How many AFCON titles does Cameroon have? Cameroon has won 5 titles.
  • How many times has Ghana won? Ghana has won 4 titles.
  • Who won the first-ever AFCON? Egypt in 1957.
  • Who won the most recent AFCON? Ivory Coast in 2023.
  • How many teams have won the AFCON so far? Fifteen teams have won the tournament as of 2026.

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