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Complete List of AFCON Winners from 1957 to 2026

Since its start in 1957, the African Cup of Nations has crowned 15 different countries as champions. The tournament has seen shifts in dominance, from Egypt's early reign to Cameroon's steady rise. Senegal recently joined the list of multi-title winners after their narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025-26 final held in Rabat.

Summary of AFCON Champions and Their Winning Years

  • 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) - Venues include Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Stade Mohamed V, Stade du 26 Mars, Stade de l'Amitie
  • Ghana: 4 titles (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) - Venues include Stade du 11-Juin, Accra Sports Stadium, Chedly Zouiten Stadium
  • Nigeria: 3 titles (1980, 1994, 2013) - Venues include FNB, Stade El Menzah, National Stadium Lagos
  • Ivory Coast: 3 titles (1992, 2015, 2023) - Venues include Stade de l'Amitie, Estadio de Bata, Alassane Ouattara Stadium
  • Algeria: 2 titles (1990, 2019) - Venues include Cairo International Stadium, Stade 5 Juillet 1962
  • DR Congo: 2 titles (1968, 1974) - Venues include Nasser Stadium, Addis Ababa Stadium
  • Senegal: 2 titles (2021, 2026) - Venues include 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

Top Teams in the History of AFCON

Egypt holds the record with 7 championships. They claimed the inaugural trophy in 1957 and defended it in 1959. A remarkable feat was their consecutive wins in 2006, 2008, and 2010, making them the most decorated team in the competition’s history.

Cameroon follows with five titles. Their first win was in 1984, with back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002. The Indomitable Lions last triumphed in 2017 by defeating Egypt 2-1 but have not reached the finals since.

Ghana earned four titles between 1963 and 1982, establishing themselves as a powerful force in African football. Their first championship came on home soil with a 3-0 win over Sudan in 1963.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast each boast three titles. Nigeria’s wins occurred in 1980, 1994, and 2013, while Ivory Coast clinched theirs in 1992, 2015, and 2023. Ivory Coast's victories in 1992 and 2015 were dramatic penalty shootout wins against Ghana.

Algeria and DR Congo have both won twice. Algeria lifted the trophy in 1990 and again in 2019, while DR Congo secured theirs in 1968 and 1974. DR Congo’s second title required a replay after a tied final.

Senegal became two-time champions with wins in 2021 and 2026, overcoming earlier disappointments as runners-up in 2002 and 2019. Their latest triumph was inspired by Sadio Mane’s performance.

Single-Time Champions

  • Zambia won their sole title in 2012, prevailing over Ivory Coast in penalties.
  • Tunisia secured their only AFCON trophy in 2004 by beating Morocco 2-1.
  • Sudan triumphed in 1970, with El-Rasoul Omer scoring the decisive goal.
  • South Africa claimed their lone title in 1996, defeating Tunisia 2-0 at the FNB Stadium.
  • Ethiopia took the championship in 1962 after an intense final requiring extra time.
  • Morocco won in 1976 by overcoming Guinea in the final.
  • Congo earned their one and only title in 1972 with a high-scoring victory over Mali.

Quick Facts about AFCON Champions

  • Most Titles: Egypt with 7 wins.
  • Senegal's Titles: 2 (2021, 2026).
  • Cameroon’s Total Titles: 5.
  • Ghana’s Titles: 4.
  • First-ever Winner: Egypt in 1957.
  • Latest Champion: Ivory Coast in 2023.
  • Total Winning Nations: 15 as of 2026.

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