AFCON 2021
Africa Cup of Nations 2022: full schedule, groups, dates and games
The action in Cameroon gets underway on January 9 as the host nation face Burkina Faso in Yaounde. The final is scheduled for 6 February.
Following the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations last year due to the covid pandemic, the 33rd AFCON will finally kick off in the Cameroon capital of Yaounde on 9 January as the home side face Burkina Faso.
The problems posed by the new Omicron variant have hampered preparation for many nations with last minute withdrawals as Algeria look to retain their 2019 crown with the holders expected to be tested by other pre-tournament favourites in Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria.
With just days to go before the action commences, here's a full breakdown of the six groups, 24 participating sides and group fixtures.
AFCON 2021: Group A:
Teams: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde & Ethiopia
Games:
9 January: Ethiopia-Cape Verde (14:00)
13 January: Cameroon-Ethiopia (11:00)
13 January: Cape Verde-Burkina Faso (14:00)
17 January: Cape Verde-Cameroon (11:00)
Group B:
Teams: Senegal, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Malawi
Games:
10 January: Senegal-Zimbabwe (08:00)
10 January: Guinea-Malawi (11:00)
14 January: Senegal-Guinea (08:00)
14 January: Malawi-Zimbabwe (14:00)
18 January: Malawi-Senegal (11:00)
Group C:
Teams: Morocco, Ghana, Gabon, Comoros
Games:
10 January: Morocco-Ghana (11:00)
10 January: Comoros-Gabon (14:00)
14 January: Morocco-Comoros (11:00)
14 January: Ghana-Gabon (14:00)
18 January: Gabon-Morocco (14:00)
18 January: Ghana-Comoros (14:00)
Group D:
Teams: Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau
Games:
11 January: Nigeria-Egypt (11:00)
11 January: Sudan-Guinea-Bissau (14:00)
15 January: Nigeria-Sudan (11:00)
15 January: Guinea-Bissau-Egypt (14:00)
19 January: Guinea-Bissau-Nigeria (14:00)
19 January: Sudan-Egypt (14:00)
Group E:
Teams: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea
Games:
11 January: Algeria-Sierra Leone (08:00)
12 January: Equatorial Guinea-Ivory Coast (14:00)
16 January: Ivory Coast-Sierra Leone (11:00)
16 January: Algeria-Equatorial Guinea (14:00)
20 January: Ivory Coast-Algeria (11:00)
20 January: Sierra Leone-Equatorial Guinea (11:00)
Group F:
Teams: Tunisia, Mali, Gambia, Mauratania
Games:
12 January: Tunisia-Mali (08:00)
12 January: Mauritania-Gambia (11:00)
16 January: Gambia-Mali (08:00)
16 January: Tunisia-Mauritania (11:00)
20 January: Gambia-Tunisia (14:00)
20 January: Mali-Mauritania (14:00)
The top two sides in each of the six groups will advance to the next stage, along with the four best third placed sides.
Knockout stage
Last 16:
23 January (match 37): Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C (11:00) - Limbé Stadium, Limbé
23 January (match 38): Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F (14:00) - Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua
24 January (match 40): Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F (11:00) - Limbé Stadium, Limbé
24 January (match 39): Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E (14:00) - Olembé Stadium, Yaoundé
25 January (match 41): Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D (11:00) - Bafoussam Stadium, Kouekong
25 January (match 42): Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F (14:00) - Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé
26 January (match 43): Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D (11:00) - Japoma Stadium, Douala
26 January (match 44): Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E (14:00) - Limbé Stadium, Limbé
Quarter-finals:
29 January (match 46): Winner match 40 vs Winner match 39 (11:00) - Japoma Stadium, Douala
29 January (match 45): Winner match 37 vs Winner match 38 (14:00) - Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua
30 January (match 47): Winner match 43 vs Winner match 42 (11:00) - Olembé Stadium, Yaoundé
30 January (match 48): Winner match 41 vs Winner match 44 (14:00) - Japoma Stadium, Douala
Semi-finals:
2 February (match 49): Winner match 45 vs Winner match 48 (14:00) - Japoma Stadium, Douala
3 February (match 50): Winner match 46 vs Winner match 47 (14:00) - Olembé Stadium, Yaoundé
Third-place play-off:
6 February: Loser match 49 vs Loser match 50 (11:00) - Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé
Final:
6 February: Winner match 49 vs Winner match 50 (14:00) - Olembé Stadium, Yaoundé