The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering expanding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 teams. CAF President Patrice Motsepe made this announcement at a press conference following a CAF executive committee meeting.
Motsepe did not provide details on how the tournament structure would change or when the expansion would take effect. The AFCON was previously expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2019.
The 2027 AFCON will still be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as planned. After an additional edition in 2028, the competition is expected to move to a four-year cycle. CAF also plans to launch a new national league competition in 2029, which will be played annually, with a 16-team finals tournament held every two years.
Motsepe's goal is to develop world-class football in Africa, with the best players returning to compete on the continent. He believes this expansion will help achieve that goal, but no further details have been provided.
Motsepe was re-elected as CAF president in 2025 and is the first South African to hold the position.
