the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon, the title holders after winning the previous edition .

The competition will be held from June 7th to June 30th, 2019. It will be the first Africa Cup of Nations expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

Format

Only the hosts will receive an automatic qualification spot, the other 23 teams will qualify through a qualification tournament. At the finals, the 24 teams will be drawn into six groups of four teams each. The teams in each group play a single round robin. After the group stage, the top two teams and the four best third teams will advance to the round of 16. The winners will advance to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinals. The semifinal losers will play in third place match, while semifinal winners will play in final.

The format is exactly the one which was applied to the 1986, 1990, and 1994 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 2016.

Venues

With the Africa Cup of Nations expanded to 24 teams, six venues will be used.

1- Stadium Paul Biya of Yaoundé: 60.000 seats

2- Stadium japoma of Douala: 50.000 seats

3- Stadium Ahmadou Ahidjo of Yaoundé: 40.000 seats

4- Stadium Roumde Adjia of Garoua: 25.000 seats

5- Stadium Kouekong of Bafoussam: 20.000 seats

6- Stadium omnisport of Limbe: 20.000 seats