In a major overhaul of African football, CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 participating teams.
Speaking after an executive committee meeting in Cairo, Motsepe framed the expansion as a move to elevate the continent’s flagship tournament to world-class standards and provide more opportunities for African talent globally.
Under the proposed new structure, the tournament will reportedly feature seven groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from every group automatically advancing to the round of 16, though the exact method for filling the final knockout slots remains under development.
Alongside the expansion, Motsepe confirmed a significant shift in the tournament’s scheduling. Following the 2027 edition—which will proceed as a 24-team event co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—and a subsequent “bridge” tournament in 2028, the AFCON will officially move to a four-year cycle.
This change is designed to harmonize the African football calendar with global standards and ease the persistent scheduling conflicts with European clubs and FIFA competitions.
To maintain consistent continental action during the years between AFCON tournaments, CAF plans to launch an annual African Nations League in 2029, featuring a 16-team final tournament held every two years.
