The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 28 teams, the president of the body, Patrice Motsepe, announced on Sunday.
Speaking after an executive committee meeting, Motsepe said the decision reflects a drive to elevate the continent’s flagship tournament and bring more African players back to compete at home.
He said the move highlights CAF’s “commitment to world-class football with the best African players from all over the world returning to compete on the continent.”
No timeline or format details were provided for how the competition will accommodate four additional teams. The tournament has featured 24 nations since its expansion from 16 teams in 2019.
Motsepe also confirmed that the 2027 finals will proceed as planned across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. A second edition will follow in 2028 before the tournament shifts to a four-year cycle.
The CAF president unveiled further plans to reshape the continental calendar, revealing a new CAF Nations League set to launch in 2029. The competition will feature a 16-team finals tournament staged every two years.
“We have to stop this thing of African fixtures not being predictable, consistent and reliable. We must develop football in East Africa, which is an area of much potential,” Motsepe said.
