AFCON expanded to 28 teams amid regulatory reforms
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a sweeping expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside a rigorous overhaul of its internal regulations, following a high-level Executive
- By Tunde Liadi with Agency reports
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a sweeping expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside a rigorous overhaul of its internal regulations, following a high-level Executive Committee meeting in Cairo.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed yesterday that the continent’s flagship tournament will increase from 24 to 28 teams. This marks the second expansion in less than a decade, following the move from 16 to 24 teams in 2019.
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“This is evidence of our commitment to world-class football, with the best African players from all over the world returning to compete on the continent,” Motsepe stated.
In a significant departure from tradition, the AFCON is set to become a quadrennial event after the 2028 edition. To fill the gap and ensure consistent continental action, CAF will introduce an annual Nations League starting in 2029, featuring a 16-team final tournament held every two years.
Motsepe emphasized the need for "predictable, consistent, and reliable" fixtures while reaffirming that the 2027 finals remain on track for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The expansion comes as CAF moves to repair its battered image following the "farcical" scenes during January’s AFCON final in Rabat. The tournament was mired in controversy after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco.
Though Senegal later returned to win the match 1-0, the CAF Appeal Board subsequently stripped them of the title—a decision currently being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
To prevent a recurrence, Motsepe announced immediate updates to CAF statutes and regulations to align with "global football best practices."
"This is important for the respect, integrity, and credibility of African referees, VAR operators, and our judicial bodies," Motsepe said, noting that CAF is working closely with FIFA on specialized training for officials.
