Egypt, host of AFCON 2019, has unveiled the names of cities and stadiums where the continental tournament will be played from June 15 to July 13.
For the first time, 24 teams will be participating as opposed to the original 16, which was one of the main reasons why Cameroon was stripped of the hosting rights, for not having the infrastructural capability to welcome the high number of teams.
The 2019 AFCON will take place in five cities and eight stadiums, according to the Egyptian FA (EFA).
The cities are: Cairo, where two stadiums will be used; Alexandria, with two stadiums; Suez, with two stadiums and a stadium each in Port-Said and Ismailia.
The EFA confirmed the choice of Ismailia despite security concerns raised by the municipal authorities following recent match incidents that led to the disqualification of Ismaily SC from the Caf Champions League.
The country’s main stadium Borg Al Arab Stadium, an 86,000 seater, will not be used for the AFCON because of worries that it might not be filled to capacity if Egypt are not playing and also due to logistic challenges, according to the EFA.
The EFA president Hany Abo Rida has revealed that his association had sent a petition to CAF requesting the opening day of the tournament to be moved from June 15 to 14, a day earlier, which is a Friday, when huge turnouts are common in the North African country.
