The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification is currently underway, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to determine the teams that will participate in the 34th edition of the international men’s football championship of Africa. This tournament will be hosted by Ivory Coast. Let’s delve into the details of the qualification process and the participating teams.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Process
The qualification process for the Africa Cup of Nations consists of several stages. All 54 CAF member associations have entered the competition. The seeding of the teams was based on the FIFA World Ranking as of 23 December 2021. The top 42 ranked teams received a bye to the qualifying group stage, while the remaining 12 teams had to participate in the preliminary round 1.
The preliminary round draw took place on 21 January 2022 in Douala, Cameroon 2. Following the preliminary round, the winners advanced to join the 42 other teams in the group stage. The group stage features 12 groups of four teams each, playing round-robin matches 3. The top two finishers from each group will secure qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Participating Teams
A total of 24 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament. Ivory Coast has automatically qualified as the host nation. The remaining 23 spots will be determined through the qualification process. The competition is fierce, with some of Africa’s football powerhouses battling it out for a chance to compete in the prestigious tournament.
Defending champions Senegal will aim to secure their place in the tournament alongside other strong contenders such as Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Morocco, and Nigeria 3. These nations boast a rich footballing history and have previously showcased their skills in international competitions.
Road to the Finals
The Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches began on 23 March 2022 and will continue until 12 September 2023. As of 18 June 2023, a total of 108 matches have been played, with 261 goals scored, averaging 2.42 goals per match 1. The competition has been intense, with teams fighting for every point to secure their qualification.
The journey to the finals has seen thrilling encounters and surprising results. Fans have witnessed impressive performances from players like Victor Osimhen, who currently leads the goal-scoring charts with 7 goals 1. The statistics provide a glimpse into the excitement and competitiveness of the qualification process.
Conclusion
The Africa Cup of Nations qualification is a captivating journey filled with intense matches and determined teams vying for a place in the prestigious tournament. The Confederation of African Football has created a comprehensive qualification process that showcases the best of African football. As the qualification matches progress, football enthusiasts eagerly await the final lineup of teams that will compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Don’t miss out on the thrilling action and mark your calendars for the tournament in early 2024. Africa’s finest footballing nations will gather to battle for continental glory, and fans around the world will witness the pinnacle of African football.
