AFCON is the most anticipated football competition in Africa, but its appeal reaches far beyond the continent! With amazing players spread across major clubs worldwide, many countries will keep an eye open on their favourite players. The competition has been growing throughout the years, and there seems to be no signs of stopping. Follow us as Guinée Games analyses this growth in more detail!
An evergrowing AFCON
What started as a three team football tournament in 1957, now sees twenty-four teams compete with each other 68 years later. However, the biggest change has not been the number of teams. A massive surge in global viewership has been observed, demonstrating that AFCON is now a true worldwide powerhouse in sports.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), AFCON 2024 reached a total of 2.2 billion viewers worldwide. This even surpasses the 2024 American Super Bowl, which is one of the most famous sports events in the world. The latest version averaged 123.4 million viewers that same year.
But that’s not all! If we have a look at more modern media like social media, the competition reached 2.1 billion digital interactions. Tik Tok arrives first with 3.1 billion views, followed by Instagram with 12.5 million views overall.
Comparing these numbers to AFCON 2021, which counted an average of 350 million video views, we can clearly see that AFCON is becoming more and more popular as the years pass. This can also be explained by the use of new technologies, which helped expand the competition to new markets such as Brazil, India or even Italy. Matches are now broadcast in over 150 countries, showing the continuous worldwide popularity of the competition!
Which countries hold the most AFCON titles ?
Since the creation of the African Cup of Nations, a total of 16 countries lifted the sought-after trophy. Egypt have won the competition the most times, with 7 titles. They are followed closely by Cameroon (5), Ghana (4) Nigeria (3) and Ivory Coast (3).
The last edition saw Ivory Coast lift the trophy at home! The Elephants beat the Super Eagles 2-1 in an intense game that saw the Nigerian team score the first goal during the first half.
Rising Talent and Veteran Power
Many highly skilled players are scheduled to travel in December as part of their national teams. This will inevitably impact European teams, with up to 47 Premier League players potentially absent during this crucial stage of the season. While Arsenal, currently top of the league, is unlikely to be affected, Sunderland could see as many as nine players called up for the tournament.
Young talents will also have a golden opportunity to make their mark on the international stage during the tournament. Morocco will count on PSV Eindhoven’s rising star Ismael Saibari, while Ivory Coast’s hopes will include Manchester United’s versatile Amad Diallo.
Of course, you can count on the veterans to lead in high-pressure moments. Stars like Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, and Achraf Hakimi, freshly crowned 2025 African Footballer of the Year, will bring leadership, skill, and a winning mentality, guiding the next generation while still making a decisive impact. Their presence ensures every match showcases top-level talent, blending youthful energy with world-class experience.
These are just a few of the names to watch during the 2025 AFCON. The list of stars is truly extensive. Guinée Games’ best advice is to follow the action closely, form your own opinions, and maybe place a bet on your favorite player or team. With amazing offers and promotions running throughout the tournament, there has never been a better time to get involved 👀!
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