CAF Announces Expansion of AFCON to 28 Teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declared that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will increase its participating teams to 28.

Patrice Motsepe, the President of CAF, made this announcement on Sunday, March 29, after the conclusion of an executive committee meeting.

Motsepe emphasized that this expansion is an indication of CAF's dedication to advancing the quality of football in Africa.

He stated, "This is about our commitment to world-class football, uniting the finest African players from around the world to compete on the continent."

However, details regarding how the tournament format will accommodate the additional four teams and the timeline for this change have not yet been disclosed.

Previously, the last four editions of the AFCON featured 24 teams, a number that had been increased from 16 in 2019.

Additionally, Motsepe confirmed that the upcoming AFCON will take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027 as previously scheduled. Furthermore, he mentioned that a subsequent edition is set for 2028, during which the tournament will progressively shift to a consistent cycle held every four years.