The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to increase its participating teams from 24 to 28, CAF president Patrice Motsepe declared on Sunday. This announcement came during a press conference following an executive committee meeting.
Motsepe emphasized that the expansion reflects CAF’s dedication to delivering world-class football, bringing together the finest African players from across the globe to compete on their home continent. However, he did not specify how the tournament format will be adjusted to include the four additional teams or when exactly this change will be implemented.
Previously, AFCON had expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2019, with the last four editions featuring 24 participants. Motsepe also confirmed that the 2027 finals will proceed as planned, hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
In a significant development, he revealed plans for a second Cup of Nations tournament in 2028, after which the competition will transition to a four-year cycle. Furthermore, CAF intends to introduce an annual Nations League starting in 2029, culminating in a 16-team final tournament held biennially.
Motsepe highlighted the importance of stabilizing the African football calendar, stating, “We must stop the inconsistency and unpredictability of African fixtures.” He also stressed that developing football in East Africa, a region with vast potential, remains a key priority for CAF.
