AFCON Hosting Countries History: A Complete Guide
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), formerly known as the African Cup of Nations, is the main international football tournament in Africa. The tournament has been held every two years since its inception in 1957, with the exception of 1980 when it was not held due to the African boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the history of AFCON hosting countries.
Early Years (1957-1970)
The first AFCON tournament was held in Sudan in 1957, with Egypt emerging as the champions. The tournament was initially held every two years, but it was later changed to a four-year cycle in 1970. During this period, the hosting countries were:
1970s-1980s
In the 1970s and 1980s, the hosting countries continued to rotate between African nations. Some of the notable hosting countries during this period include:
- 1972: Congo
- 1974: Egypt
- 1976: Ghana
- 1978: Ghana
- 1980: Not held (African boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics)
- 1982: Ghana
- 1984: Ivory Coast
1990s-2000s
In the 1990s and 2000s, the hosting countries continued to rotate between African nations. Some of the notable hosting countries during this period include:
- 1990: Algeria
- 1992: Senegal
- 1994: Tunisia
- 1996: South Africa
- 1998: Burkina Faso
- 2000: Ghana and Nigeria (co-hosts)
- 2002: Mali
- 2004: Tunisia
- 2006: Egypt
- 2008: Ghana
- 2010: Angola
- 2012: Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (co-hosts)
- 2013: South Africa
2015-Present
In the 2010s and 2020s, the hosting countries continued to rotate between African nations. Some of the notable hosting countries during this period include:
- 2015: Equatorial Guinea
- 2017: Gabon
- 2019: Egypt
- 2021: Cameroon
- 2023: Ivory Coast
The AFCON hosting countries history is a testament to the growth and development of football in Africa. From its humble beginnings in Sudan in 1957 to the current era, the tournament has come a long way in showcasing the talent and passion of African footballers.
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