AFCON winners list: every champion since 1957

Since the first edition in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has crowned fifteen different nations. Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast… Here is the complete AFCON winners list, with every champion, runner-up and host nation, plus the tournament's biggest records.

Most successful nations

Complete list, edition by edition

Note: the 2021 and 2023 editions were played at the start of the following year (in 2022 and 2024), but they kept their official names. The 2025 edition took place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

The AFCON 2025 case

The AFCON 2025 final was played on 18 January 2026 in Rabat between hosts Morocco and Senegal. On the pitch, Senegal won 1-0 after extra time, at the end of a match marked by serious incidents in the closing stages.

On 17 March 2026, CAF stripped Senegal of the title and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory. The Senegalese Football Federation appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A hearing is scheduled for 8 October 2026, and no date has yet been set for the verdict.

Pending the CAS decision, Morocco are officially the 2025 African champions. This section will be updated as soon as the verdict is announced.

AFCON records

Egypt, Africa's kings. With seven titles, the Pharaohs are the most successful nation in AFCON history. They also achieved a unique feat: three consecutive titles, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Back-to-back champions. Several nations have won two editions in a row: Egypt (1957 and 1959), Ghana (1963 and 1965) and Cameroon (2000 and 2002).

Home advantage. Many countries have won the AFCON on home soil, including Ethiopia (1962), Ghana (1963 and 1978), Nigeria (1980), Egypt (1986 and 2006), Algeria (1990), South Africa (1996), Tunisia (2004) and Ivory Coast (2023).

Nigeria, the final specialists. The Super Eagles have reached more finals than almost anyone, but have lost most of them, including several against Cameroon. Their three titles came in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

Ghana's long wait. Four-time champions, the Black Stars have not lifted the trophy since 1982, despite reaching the final in 1992, 2010 and 2015.

Zambia's fairy tale. Without big-name stars but with an exceptional team spirit, Zambia's 2012 triumph remains one of the most emotional victories in the history of the tournament.

What about AFCON 2027?

The next edition will be played from 19 June to 17 July 2027, for the first time across three countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The qualifiers are under way, and many nations are already dreaming of adding another star to their shirt.

Who will win AFCON 2027?

Share your prediction in the comments below 👇

Read more

• AFCON 2027 qualifiers: schedule, groups and favourites
• African football team nicknames and what they mean
• AFCON 2027 qualifiers: all Matchday 1 results