When does Afcon 2021 start & finish? Key dates & fixtures for tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin in January of 2022 after having skipped a year due to Covid-19 disruptions, and Premier League stars such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez will all be making an appearance in the tournament.



It is Africa's showpiece competition, consisting of 24 teams battling it out to be crowned the ultimate continental champions.

So when does Afcon 2021 begin and end? GOAL takes a look.

Afcon 2021 is scheduled to begin on January 9, 2022 and end on February 6, 2022.

The competition was originally set to be played in June and July 2021, but the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) stated that due to the hot climate during the summer months, the tournament would be played in January and February 6.

However, due to the impacts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament was once again moved and delayed for one year.

Furthermore, the tournament will be retaining its name of Afcon 2021 instead of Afcon 2022 due to sponsorship reasons, much like the way the European Championships kept the Euro 2020 name even though it was played a year later in 2021.

Afcon 2021 will take place in Cameroon.

The opening and closing matches are set to be played at the new Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, which seats 60,000.

The games will be played across at least six venues across five cities in Cameroon, including Olembe Stadium and Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, the Japoma Stadium in Douala, the Limbe Stadium in Limbe, the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam and the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.

Algerica are defending champions, having won Afcon in 2019 after beating Senegal 1-0 in the final.

Baghdad Bounedjah scored in the second minute to give Algeria the early and competition-defining lead.

Afcon 2021 will be broadcast on beIN Sports in the United States (US), while it will be available to watch on BBC in the United Kingdom (U.K.)

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