The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from its current format to 28 participating countries.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the proposal during a press briefing in Tanzania, explaining that the revamped tournament would also adopt a four-year cycle. According to Motsepe, the expansion is designed to boost competitiveness, provide more opportunities for emerging football nations, and strengthen the overall development of the game across Africa.
He emphasized that increasing the number of teams would allow smaller nations to compete alongside traditional powerhouses, while the four-year schedule would give national teams more time to prepare and build stronger squads.
CAF is expected to begin consultations with member associations and key stakeholders to determine the final format, qualification process, and logistics of the proposed changes.
If approved, the 28-team expansion would represent a historic transformation of Africa’s flagship football competition, aimed at enhancing its global appeal and long-term growth.
