Africa Cup of Nations Standings: Tables, Fixtures & Qualifiers

Morocco, Nigeria, and Egypt occupy their respective group leads with a handful of matches left in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage — and for a dozen teams sitting third in their groups, the next round of games will determine whether their AFCON campaign ends now or rolls into the Round of 16.

Top African FIFA Team: Morocco (8th) · Most AFCON Titles: Egypt (7) · Recent Champions: Morocco (2nd title) · Eligible Teams: 54 (qualification) · Finals Teams: 24

Key facts

Who qualifies for the AFCON round of 16?

The qualification structure for the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 is straightforward: the top two finishers from each of the six groups advance automatically. That’s 12 teams locked in before the knockout stage begins.

Beyond the group winners and runners-up, there’s a second pathway. According to ESPN’s coverage, the four best third-placed teams also earn Round of 16 spots, making every point in the final group matches potentially decisive.

Based on current standings, Morocco and Mali are confirmed qualifiers from Group A. From other groups, potential qualifiers include Egypt and South Africa from Group B, Nigeria and Tunisia from Group C, and emerging contenders from the remaining groups.

Teams that have qualified for the AFCON Round of 16

• Group A: Morocco (1st), Mali (2nd)
• Group B: Egypt (1st), South Africa (2nd) — based on current standings
• Group C: Nigeria (1st), Tunisia (2nd)
• Third-place contenders: Comoros, Angola, Tanzania, Benin, Sudan — competing for 4 remaining spots

The implication: teams sitting third in their groups right now aren’t eliminated — they’re fighting for one of those four wildcard spots, which often comes down to goal difference across groups.

Which country is best in football in Africa?

When it comes to continental dominance measured by titles, Egypt leads with seven Africa Cup of Nations victories. The Pharaohs have set a record that no other nation has come close to matching over the decades.

In terms of current form, Morocco holds the distinction of being Africa’s highest-ranked team in FIFA standings at 8th globally — and they’re the reigning AFCON champions after their 2022 triumph, followed by a strong showing in the 2023 edition.

FIFA World Rankings – Africa’s Top Teams

The table below shows Africa’s leading national teams by FIFA ranking alongside their AFCON title counts.

What this means: Egypt’s historical record is unmatched, but Morocco’s recent trajectory — combined with their superior FIFA ranking — makes them the continent’s team to beat right now.

Who will host AFCON in 2027?

CAF has announced that East Africa will host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This marks a significant moment for the region, which has rarely held the continent’s flagship football competition.

ROAD TO EAST AFRICA! CAF Announces Kick-Off, Final

• 2027 Host: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (joint bid)
• Format: 24-team finals tournament
• Significance: First AFCON hosted by East Africa in modern era

The catch: the co-hosting arrangement adds logistical complexity, but it also spreads the economic benefits across three nations and gives fans across the region better access to matches.

Africa Cup of Nations standings round 16

The Round of 16 represents the tournament’s knockout phase, where 16 teams face elimination in single matches. With the group stage still underway, the exact matchups depend on final group standings — particularly which four third-placed teams advance.

Knockout stage bracket

• 12 teams qualify as group top 2 finishers
• 4 additional spots for best third-placed teams across all groups
• Bracket structure determined by final group rankings

Qualified teams overview

Sky Sports group tables show Morocco at the top of Group A with 7 points and an unbeaten record, Egypt leading Group B with 7 points, and Nigeria dominating Group C with a perfect 9 points from three wins. These three teams are positioned to advance with significant momentum.

The pattern: the strongest groups right now are A, B, and C — with Group C’s Nigeria posting the most dominant record at 3 wins from 3 matches.

AFCON qualifiers table 2026

The 2026 AFCON qualification process involves all 54 African nations competing for 24 spots at the finals tournament. This is Africa’s most extensive football competition outside of World Cup qualifiers.

Preliminary rounds are currently ongoing, with matches such as Burundi defeating Chad 4-0 on March 31, 2026, according to 365Scores preliminary results. The group stage runs through May 2026, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania set to host the finals.

Current qualifiers standings

Six groups of four teams each, with top 2 advancing plus 4 best thirds. This creates intense competition where even a single loss can be overcome if other results go a team’s way.

Path to finals

• 54 teams entered qualification
• 24 will reach the finals tournament
• Top 2 from each group (12 teams) + 4 best thirds guaranteed
• East Africa hosts the 2027 finals

What this means: qualification isn’t just about winning your group — it’s about surviving the group stage with enough points that even third place in a tough group can be enough.