CAF to Expand AFCON to 28 Teams, Shifts to Four-Year Cycle

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is planning to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 teams, as confirmed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe during a press conference on Friday. This expansion aims to allow more of CAF's 54 member associations to participate in Africa's flagship football competition, with the next tournament scheduled for 2028.

Additionally, Motsepe announced that AFCON will now be held every four years, ending the traditional two-year cycle that has been in place since 1968. While the timeline for the changes was not specified, the decision reflects a long-term scheduling strategy for CAF.

Furthermore, Motsepe addressed concerns regarding player discipline, condemning behavior observed during the March 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, and promised to implement stricter punishments to protect the integrity of the game.