Motsepe Outlines Vision for Broader Participation, Details Yet to Be Announced
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 teams, as part of efforts to grow the continent’s flagship football tournament.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe made the disclosure on Sunday, stating that the proposed expansion is aimed at strengthening the quality and global appeal of African football while creating more opportunities for countries to compete at the highest level.
Motsepe noted that the move reflects CAF’s ambition to build a world-class competition, particularly as more African players continue to excel in top leagues around the world and return to represent their national teams.
However, CAF has not yet released specific details on how the expanded tournament would be structured, nor has it announced a timeline for when the changes could take effect.
The Africa Cup of Nations was previously expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2019, a shift that significantly increased participation across the continent. Any further expansion would require formal approval and adjustments to qualification formats and tournament scheduling.
For now, the proposal signals CAF’s broader vision for growth, even as key aspects of the potential 28-team format remain under consideration.
