<p>Morocco hosts the<strong> 2026 Africa Cup of Nations</strong> from 21 December through to 18 January, bringing 24 nations together for the continent's biggest football tournament.</p> <p>For punters, AFCON offers everything from outright winner markets to group stage specials and Golden Boot betting.</p> <p>This guide covers the tournament format, the main betting markets, and which teams are worth watching before you begin to look at the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/international-soccer/caf-african-cup-of-nations">Africa Cup of Nations betting odds</a> here at Sportsbet.</p> <h2>AFCON 2026 Tournament Format</h2> <p>AFCON runs a 24-team format across six groups of four. The top two from each group go through, plus the four best third-placed sides, leaving 16 teams for the knockout rounds.</p> <p>From the Round of 16 onwards, it's single elimination with extra time and penalties if needed.</p> <p>The format shapes how you should approach your bets:</p> <ul> <li>Group stages tend to produce more goals and a few upsets as teams settle in.</li> <li>Once the knockouts arrive, matches tighten up considerably. Teams protect what they have, managers get conservative, and plenty of games go the distance.</li> </ul> <p>Morocco's home advantage looms large over the whole tournament. The final's in Casablanca, and the Atlas Lions will have crowd support at every venue.</p> <p>Worth noting also that hosts have a strong recent record at AFCON: Ivory Coast won it at home in 2024, Egypt did the same in 2006.</p> <h2>AFCON Betting Markets</h2> <h3>Outright Winner</h3> <p>Pick the team that lifts the trophy. Prices are longest before kickoff and shorten as the field thins out, so if you've got a strong opinion, earlier is usually better.</p> <p>Keep in mind that AFCON has a habit of producing unlikely winners: Ivory Coast lost their opening game in 2024 and still went on to win the whole thing at home.</p> <h3>Match Betting</h3> <p>Standard 1X2 markets run for every game, though home and away designations don't mean much at a neutral tournament. The draw pays out plenty at AFCON, especially in group games where both teams are happy with a point.</p> <p>Asian handicaps work well when there's a clear mismatch. Draw no bet gives you insurance if you like a team to win but don't want to lose your stake to a stalemate. Line betting at -0.5, -1.5 or beyond lets you adjust your risk depending on how confident you are.</p> <h3>Goals Markets</h3> <p>Over/under lines let you bet on the total without picking a winner. Most games are lined at 2.5, with alternatives running from 0.5 up to 4.5.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dead rubbers and early group games often see more goals. Knockout matches tend to go under.</p> <p>Both teams to score is another option. Group stages produce a mix of results, but once elimination football starts, BTTS becomes harder to land. Teams sit deeper, take fewer risks, and 1-0 grinds become common.</p> <h3>Top Scorer and Golden Boot</h3> <p>Back a player to finish as the tournament's leading scorer. The maths favour strikers from teams likely to reach the semi-finals or beyond, simply because they get more games. A group stage exit caps your player at three matches.</p> <p>Penalty takers matter here. Knockout games at AFCON often go to spot kicks, and having your man on penalty duty can be the difference. Check who takes them at club level before you commit.</p> <h2>AFCON 2026 Favourites and Contenders</h2> <p>Morocco have everything lined up: Home crowd, a squad stacked with European quality, and the memory of that seriously impressive 2022 World Cup run still fresh. They're solid at the back and have pace to burn on the break. With the likes of Hakimi and Diaz in the team, it’s hard to see them not reaching at least the semis.</p> <p>Nigeria always have the talent. Three AFCON titles, players across Europe's top leagues, and attacking firepower that can hurt anyone. The question is whether they can stay solid defensively. When they're on, they're one of the best sides in Africa. When they're not, they're vulnerable.</p> <p>Senegal won in 2022 and that winning know-how doesn't disappear overnight. The squad has evolved but the mentality remains. They're physical, disciplined, and rarely give games away cheaply.</p> <p>Egypt have seven AFCON titles, more than anyone. They're not flashy but they're effective, grinding out results in knockout football. A lot depends on Salah’s&nbsp; form and fitness coming into the tournament.</p> <h3>Value Picks</h3> <p>Ivory Coast showed in 2024 that a slow start doesn't kill your tournament. They lost their opener and still lifted the trophy. Good mix of youth and experience, and they've got goals in them.</p> <p>Cameroon have five titles and never lack self-belief. They can produce moments of magic that decide tight games. Consistency is the issue, but at bigger prices, they're live.</p> <p>Algeria won in 2019 playing brilliant football. The core of that squad is still around. If they click, they're dangerous.</p> <h2>Key Players to Watch</h2> <p>Mohamed Salah (Egypt) is the obvious one. Egypt's hopes rest heavily on his shoulders. If they go deep, he'll be involved in most of what they create.</p> <p>Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) is a proper number nine. Good in the air, sharp in the box, and usually on penalties. Nigeria will create chances and he'll be on the end of them.</p> <p>Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) isn't your typical defender pick, but he bombs forward from wing-back and has a habit of scoring in big moments. His deliveries from set pieces could prove decisive too.</p> <p>Sadio Mané (Senegal) isn't the player he was at Liverpool, but he's won this tournament and knows what it takes. Experience counts in tight knockout games.</p> <h2>AFCON Betting Tips</h2> <p>Squad availability matters more than usual during this tournament since AFCON falls mid-season for European clubs, and some players arrive carrying knocks or fatigue.</p> <p>That’s why teams with fresher legs often start faster.</p> <p>Group stage dead rubbers can be tricky but keep in mind that once teams have qualified, intensity drops. Some sides rotate heavily in their final group game.</p> <p>It’s always a good choice to spend some time thinking about who actually needs the points before backing anyone.</p> <p>Knockout rounds favour unders. Matches get tight, managers go cautious, and goals dry up. If you're betting totals in elimination games, lean towards the under unless there's a clear reason not to.</p> <p>Lastly, let’s talk about the weather. Morocco's December weather is mild, but afternoon kickoffs can still be warm.</p> <p>I am including this final note in my AFCON betting guide since high-pressing teams might struggle to maintain intensity, while technical sides that control possession tend to cope better in the heat.</p> <p>In general, Morocco hosting makes them the obvious pick, but AFCON rarely goes to script. The format rewards depth and stamina over four weeks, so think about which squads can handle up to seven games.</p> <h2>AFCON Betting FAQs</h2> <h3>When does AFCON 2026 start?</h3> <p>21 December 2025, with the final on 18 January 2026. Groups run for about two weeks before the knockouts begin.</p> <h3>Who are the favourites?</h3> <p>Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Egypt sit at the top of most markets. Morocco's home advantage makes them the team to beat.</p> <h3>What markets are available?</h3> <p>Outright winner, match betting (1X2, Asian handicap, draw no bet), goals markets (over/under, BTTS), top scorer, group winners, and various specials.</p> <h3>How can I watch in Australia?</h3> <p>Broadcast details usually get confirmed closer to kickoff. Paramount+ and beIN Sports are worth checking. Most games will fall in AEDT evening or late-night timeslots.</p> <h3>How often is AFCON held?</h3> <p>Every two years, though the timing has shifted around to work better with European club schedules.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>