Afcon 2023: Fixtures, Schedule, Format, Groupings & Timings

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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has commenced, with Ivory Coast hosting the finals for the second time. In the opening match in Abidjan at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, the hosts secured a perfect start by defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-0.

BBC is set to broadcast 10 live games in the UK during the finals, and World Football at Afcon will release round-up podcasts after each matchday.

Seven-time champions Egypt began their campaign on the opening weekend, facing Mozambique in Group B. Defending champions Senegal will kick off their title defense against The Gambia in Group C on Monday.

For details on other group fixtures, the tournament format, match locations, and kick-off times stay tuned to BBC Sport Africa for comprehensive coverage leading up to the 34th edition of Africa's premier sporting event.

Groupings:

The 24 teams are divided into six groups for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Ivory Coast are in Group A with Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.

Group B features a heavyweight clash between Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, and Ghana coached by Chris Hughton.

Defending champions Senegal face Cameroon in a thrilling Group C match.

Morocco, the highest-ranked African nation (13th), are in Group F with DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania – a tough challenge for Walid Regragui's side.

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.

Afcon 2023 Kick-Offs: Matchday Calendar

Following the opening match, a minimum of two games will be played daily throughout the group stage until January 24.
Matches are scheduled at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT) during the group stages.

The latter two kick-off times persist in the final group games and the subsequent knockout stages starting from Saturday, January 27.

Advancing to the last 16 are the top two teams from each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams.

The tournament progresses with quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and ultimately, the grand final.

Afcon 2023: Unveiling the Host Venues!

After a 12-year hiatus following a civil war, Ivory Coast hosts Africa's football stars for the first time since 1984. Six stadiums across five cities, including two in Abidjan, set the stage:

1) Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (60,000 capacity)

2) Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (33,000 capacity)

3) Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (20,000 capacity)

4) Stade de la Paix, Bouake (40,000 capacity)

5) Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (20,000 capacity)

6) Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (20,000 capacity)

All these stadiums, either new or renovated, represent a one-billion-dollar investment in national infrastructure. Originally set for June-July 2023, the tournament was rescheduled to dodge the West African rainy season clash.