African Cup of Nations: Hosts, Winners & Senegal Controversy

A single moment of protest on a football pitch can rewrite tournament history. The African Cup of Nations, Africa’s biggest continental football event, has seen champions stripped, titles awarded by appeals judges, and future hosts decided in ways no one saw coming.

First tournament: 1957 ·
Most titles: Egypt (7) ·
Current champion (men): Ivory Coast (2023) ·
Next men’s edition: 2025 (Morocco) ·
2027 host: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda ·
Women’s 2026 status: Postponed

6 milestones, one pattern: the tournament calendar is being rebuilt from scratch — starting with a single walkout in Morocco.

The table below summarises the key facts about the tournament’s history and future.

Why did Senegal players walk off?

Senegal players walked off the pitch during the 2025 AFCON final against Morocco after a controversial VAR penalty decision. The fans at the stadium and viewers around the world watched as the Senegalese team left the field in protest, leading to the match being abandoned. According to BBC Sport, the walkout triggered CAF to strip Senegal of the title and award it to Morocco following an appeal.

“The match was abandoned due to the unacceptable conduct of the Senegalese team.”

— CAF official statement, as quoted by Al Jazeera

“We believe our players were denied a fair chance to defend their victory.”

— Senegal Football Federation, via Al Jazeera

The implication: a single protest can strip a nation of its hard-won trophy, reshaping the record books.

Who is hosting the African Cup of Nations 2027?

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the decision on 27 September 2023, ending a bidding process that included proposals from Botswana/Zambia, Nigeria/Benin, and Senegal.

“Morocco were awarded the 2025 AFCON title after an appeal to CAS, and the 2027 edition is now set for East Africa.”

— ESPN Africa report

Proposed venues: Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega in Kenya; Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar in Tanzania; Kampala and Hoima in Uganda. Mandela National Stadium in Kampala can seat 64,125.

The catch: this will be the first AFCON hosted by three nations, a logistical experiment for CAF.

Why is Wafcon 2026 postponed?

WAFCON 2026, originally scheduled for Morocco, has been postponed. CAF’s statement cited “a combination of factors,” but did not specify further. The postponement leaves the women’s tournament without a confirmed date or host.

The pattern: CAF’s calendar for both men’s and women’s tournaments is in flux, with the men’s side moving to a four-year cycle from 2028.

Who won the last African Cup of Nations?

The last men’s AFCON champion is Ivory Coast, who won the 2023 edition. Egypt holds the record for most titles with 7. The current champion (as of the last completed tournament) remains Ivory Coast.

Full list of winners since 1957: Egypt (7), Cameroon (5), Ghana (4), Nigeria (3), Ivory Coast (3), Algeria (2), DR Congo (2), Morocco (1), South Africa (1), Sudan (1), Tunisia (1), Zambia (1), Senegal (1) – though Senegal’s 2021 title was stripped in 2025.

When is the next AFCON scheduled?

The next men’s AFCON is set for 2025 in Morocco. The cycle then shifts: after the 2027 edition co-hosted by East Africa, the AFCON will revert to a four-year rhythm, with the next tournament in 2028 (advanced from 2029) and then 2032. The new African Nations League is expected to launch in 2029.

What this means: fans will see a compressed schedule in the short term, followed by a more predictable four-year gap.

Related reading: Équipe d’Algérie de Football – Coach, History, Players and Ranking · Al Ahly FC Standings Today: Premier League & Champions League

For a deeper look at the incident, Senegals controversial walkout during the 2026 final is examined in detail.

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