CAF Expands AFCON 2027 to 28 Teams, Historic Co-Hosting

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 participating teams beginning with the 2027 edition. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced this decision on Wednesday, emphasizing the commitment to provide more African nations with the opportunity to compete and to enhance football development across the continent.

The 2027 tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, making it the first AFCON to be held by three countries. The tournament is scheduled from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will return to East Africa for the first time in over fifty years.

The expansion will allow four additional nations to qualify compared to the previous format, potentially benefiting emerging football nations. While the move aims to increase participation and commercial value, some critics have raised concerns about the impact on competition quality.

CAF is confident that preparations are underway despite infrastructure challenges in some venues.