How AFCON Knockout Stage Qualifiers Are Decided When Teams Are Level on Points

As competition intensifies in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage, teams often find themselves level on points, raising a common question among fans: How are the qualifiers determined?

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has established a clear system to separate tied teams, based on multiple criteria applied progressively, starting from head-to-head results and culminating in a draw as a last resort.

The number of points accumulated in the three matches is the first criterion for determining the ranking of teams within a group. If two or more teams are level on points, the tie-breaking procedure moves directly to their head-to-head results (the winning team always has the advantage), based first on points, then goal difference in those matches, and finally, the number of goals scored.

In the event of two teams being level on points at the end of the group stage, they will be separated according to the following criteria in the order listed (CAF statement):

1. The greater number of points obtained in the match between the two teams concerned.

2. Goal difference in all group matches.

3. The greater number of goals scored in all group matches.

4. A draw conducted by the Organising Committee if the two teams are still level after all the above criteria.

If more than two teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, they will be separated according to the following criteria in the order listed:

1. The greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams concerned.

2. The best goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned.

3. The greater number of goals scored in the matches between the teams concerned.

After applying the three preceding criteria, if two teams remain tied, the same three criteria are reapplied to the matches played between those two specific teams to determine their final ranking. If these procedures still do not separate them, criteria 1 to 3 below are applied in the order listed:

1. The best goal difference in all group matches.

2. The greater number of goals scored in all group matches.

3. A draw conducted by the Organising Committee.