The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant increase in the prize money for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. With the tournament set to kick off in Ivory Coast on the 13th of this month, the prize pot has been bolstered by an impressive 40%.
According to the CAF's official website, the executive committee decided to raise the rewards starting with the Ivory Coast edition, where the winning team will now pocket 7 million US dollars.
Runner-up teams will also have a hefty payday, receiving 4 million US dollars, while each side making it to the semi-finals will be rewarded with 2.5 million US dollars. Teams that advance to the quarter-finals are set to receive 1.3 million US dollars.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe stated, "The African Football Confederation has made significant strides over the past two years in increasing prize money for the Cup of Nations and all its other major competitions."
He added, "We've increased the cash prize for the Cup winner. I am confident that a portion of this prize money will contribute to the development of football and will also benefit all the game’s stakeholders, as well as assist our member associations with their management."
Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, is gearing up to host the 34th iteration of this prestigious tournament from the 13th of January to the 11th of February.
The tournament will feature a lineup of 24 teams, with Egypt leading the pack, being the record holders with seven titles to their name.
The continental competition is set to open with the host team, a two-time champion, facing Guinea-Bissau, which has yet to claim a victory in its three previous appearances. The opener will take place on January 13th at the "Hassan Ouattara" stadium, which boasts a capacity of 60,000 spectators in Abidjan.
