The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has disclosed the rigorous process for the official draw as the much awaited TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire 2023 approaches.
The draw ceremony is set for Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 19:00 local time (19:00 GMT, 22:00 Cairo/East Africa time, 21:00 CAT), and it will be broadcast by CAF's international TV partners as well as live streamed on its YouTube page
The CAF carefully devised the draw's format, with the seeding determined by the most recent FIFA Rankings. Based on their standings, the 24 eligible teams have been divided into four pots.
Format for the competition:
The 24 teams will be split up into six groups of four teams each (A, B, C, D, E & F).
- Cote d'Ivoire, the host nation, will hold the top spot in Group A (place A1).
- One of the five remaining groups will be led by the current champion, with the other four leaders chosen based on their FIFA rankings.
The 24 qualifying teams have been placed into four levels based on the FIFA rankings released on September 21, 2023.
**Drawing Procedures:**
Pot 4 (Level IV Teams) is the first step.
- Position A4 in Group A will be assigned to the first ball drawn.
- Position B4 in Group B will be assigned to the second ball drawn.
- Position C4 in Group C will be assigned to the third ball drawn.
- Position D4 in Group D will be assigned to the fourth ball drawn.
- Position E4 in Group E will be assigned to the fifth ball drawn.
- Position F4 in Group F will be assigned to the sixth ball drawn.
Pot 3 (Level III Teams) is the second step.
- Position A3 in Group A will be assigned to the first ball drawn.
- Position B3 in Group B will be assigned to the second ball drawn.
- Position C3 in Group C will be assigned to the third ball drawn.
A fourth ball.
Position D3 in Group D will be the location of the fourth ball drawn.
- The position E3 in Group E will receive the fifth ball drawn.
- Position F3 in Group F will be assigned to the sixth ball drawn.
Pot 2 (Level II Teams) is the third step.
- Position A2 in Group A will be assigned to the first ball drawn.
- Position B2 in Group B will be assigned to the second ball drawn.
- Position C2 in Group C will be assigned to the third ball drawn.
- Position D2 in Group D will be assigned to the fourth ball drawn.
- Position E2 in Group E will be assigned to the fifth ball drawn.
- Position F2 in Group F will be assigned to the sixth ball drawn.
Pot 1 (Level I Teams) is the fourth step.
- Cote d'Ivoire, the host nation, is now in position A1.
- Pot 1 will contain the champion and the other four Level I teams.
- Position B1 in Group B will be assigned to the first ball drawn.
The next ball.
Position C1 in Group C will be assigned to the second ball drawn.
- Position D1 in Group D will be assigned to the third ball drawn.
- Position E1 in Group E will receive the fourth ball drawn.
- Position F1 in Group F will be assigned to the fifth ball draw
