CAF Expands AFCON to 28 Teams Starting in 2027

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced an expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to include 28 teams, as stated by CAF President Patrice Motsepe during an executive committee meeting. This decision reflects CAF's commitment to elevating the tournament's status and bringing African players back to compete on home soil.

The tournament will accommodate four additional teams, building on the previous expansion from 16 to 24 teams in 2019. Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON final will proceed as planned across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with a second edition scheduled for 2028.

Furthermore, Motsepe unveiled plans to reshape the continental football calendar, including the launch of a new CAF Nations League set to begin in 2029, featuring a final tournament stage with 16 teams every two years.