The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been played since 1957, and only 15 national teams have lifted the trophy across its 35 editions. Some established lasting dynasties, while others relied on an exceptional generation to claim their only championship.
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Which National Teams Have Won the Most AFCON Titles?
Egypt lead the all-time standings with seven titles, followed by Cameroon and Ghana. CAF’s decision regarding the 2025 final also changed the historical records of Morocco and Senegal.
Ahead of AFCON 2027, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, one country stands alone at the top of the historical rankings: Egypt.
Egypt, Africa's most successful national team
The Pharaohs have won seven titles: 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
In addition to winning the tournament's inaugural edition, Egypt achieved a feat no other national team has matched: three consecutive championships between 2006 and 2010. That generation, managed by Hassan Shehata and featuring players such as Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Aboutrika, established one of the most successful periods in African football history.
Cameroon and Ghana complete the top three
Cameroon sit second with five titles, won in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017.
The Indomitable Lions claimed four of their five championships within an 18-year period. Their most recent triumph came in 2017, when they defeated Egypt 2-1 in the final.
Ghana follow with four crowns: 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982.
Although the Black Stars remain among the continent's most decorated teams, they have not lifted the trophy since 1982.
Nigeria and Ivory Coast are tied on three titles
The next position is shared by two West African powerhouses.
Nigeria won AFCON in 1980, 1994 and 2013, while Ivory Coast claimed the trophy in 1992, 2015 and 2023.
The Elephants won the 2023 edition, played in January and February 2024, after defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
Which national teams have won two titles?
Algeria were champions in 1990 and 2019, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo lifted the trophy in 1968 and 1974, competing under the names Congo-Kinshasa and Zaire, respectively.
Morocco are also currently credited with two championships: 1976 and 2025.
Their second title comes with an unusual distinction. Senegal won the 2025 final 1-0 on the pitch, but CAF's Appeal Board subsequently overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by forfeit. The Senegalese federation appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The nations that have won AFCON once
The remaining champions are Ethiopia (1962), Sudan (1970), Republic of the Congo (1972), South Africa (1996), Tunisia (2004), Senegal (2021) and Zambia (2012).
With seven titles, Egypt will remain the competition's most successful national team when the next edition begins in 2027.
