The 1986 African Cup of Nations was the 15th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, a football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by Egypt. Just like in 1984, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. Egypt won its third championship, beating Cameroon on penalty kicks 5–4 after a goalless draw.
Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! Team
! Qualified as
! Qualified on
! Previous appearances in tournament
|-
| || Hosts || || (1962, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1984)
|-
| || Holders || || (1970, 1972, 1982, 1984)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (1968, 1980, 1982, 1984)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (1974, 1978, 1982)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (1965, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1980, 1984)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (1965, 1968)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (1972, 1976, 1978, 1980)
|-
| || 2nd round winners || || (debut)
|}
;Notes
Squads
Venues
The competition was played in two venues in Cairo and Alexandria.
<div style="text-align: center;">
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Cairo
| rowspan="8" |
|-
| Cairo International Stadium
|-
| Capacity: 90,000
|-
| 150px
|-
!Alexandria
|-
|Alexandria Stadium
|-
|Capacity: 15,000
|-
|150px
|}</div>
Group stage
Tiebreakers
If two or more teams finished level on points after completion of the group matches, the following tie-breakers were used to determine the final ranking:
- Goal difference in all group matches
- Greater number of goals scored in all group matches
- Drawing of lots
Group A
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Group B
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Knockout stage
Semifinals
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Third place match
Final
Goalscorers
CAF Team of the Tournament
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto"
|-
! Goalkeepers
! Defenders
! Midfielders
! Forwards
|-
| align=left valign=top |
Thomas N'Kono
| align=left valign=top |
André Kana-Biyik <br>
Ali Shehata <br>
Roger Mendy <br>
Rabei Yassin
| align=left valign=top |
Emile Mbouh <br>
Magdi Abdelghani <br>
Moustafa Abdou <br>
Taher Abouzaid
| align=left valign=top |
Roger Milla <br>
Kalusha Bwalya
|}
External links
- Details at RSSSF