The 2017 African Cup of Nations will get underway today, and while it is Africa’s tournament, the whole world will be watching.
 
A total of 63 different countries have players who play in their leagues called up for this year’s AFCON in Gabon, with the 368 players coming from all over.

They’ve travelled from Austria and Wales, as well as Kuwait and Qatar - among many others. It really is a tournament of the world.
 
France – across all their leagues – have the most players at AFCON (57), and are lightyears ahead of the nearest competitor – England – who have 36.

South Africa’s top two divisions have 13 players attending the games in Gabon with the likes of Baroka, Bidvest Wits, Golden Arrows, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United and SuperSport United all having representatives for different countries.
 
Meanwhile, countries such as South Korea, Lebanon and Iceland also have players in Gabon ahead of this weekend’s opening matches, with a total of 20 countries having just one player making the trip.
 
Only three players who ply their trade in the host country will be present on home turf, with four players arriving in Gabon as free agents and without a club at this stage.