When does AFCON 2023 start? Schedule, Groups & more

Ivory Coast will host AFCON 2023

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) is getting nearer, with the finals being held in Ivory Coast for the second time.

The Alassane Ouattara Arena in Abidjan is scheduled to host the opening match of the tournament on Saturday, January 13, between the hosts and Guinea-Bissau.

Historic seven-time winners Egypt will also play on the first weekend, taking on Mozambique in Group B, while Senegal will start the defence of its championship on Monday, January 15, against The Gambia in Group C.

When will the other group members be available? What is the tournament’s format? When do the games start and at what location are they being engaged?

Before Africa’s biggest athletic event, which is in its 34th edition.

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AFCON 2023 Groups

Six groups of four teams have been formed from the 24 countries, with the hosts, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in Group A, the previous three champions.

Group B also has a strong opponent, with Ghana, presently led by former Newcastle and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, the most victorious side in the competition’s ages, paired against each other.

In Group C, holders Senegal will face Cameroon in one of the tournament’s most intriguing opening matches.

Morocco is the highest-ranked African country in the world (13th), and they were the first team from the continent to get to a World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022. However, they didn’t win a Nations Cup until 1976.

Tanzania, the lone representative of East Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will square off against Walid Regragui’s team in Group F.

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau.

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique.

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia.

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola.

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia.

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

Schedule and start times for the AFCON 2023

After the first game, there will be a group stage that lasts until January 24 and includes at least two games every day.

The group stages’ kickoff timings are 2:00, 5:00, and 10:00 (all in GMT). While IST timings are 7: 30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 1:30 a.m.

The last round of group matches and the elimination phases, which start on Saturday, January 27, will use the latter two kickoff times.

Quarterfinals, semifinals, a battle for third place, and the final await the top two teams from every division as well as the four highest-rated third-place teams.

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