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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed plans to increase the number of teams participating in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe made the announcement on March 29, 2026, highlighting the organization’s goal of promoting African football at the highest level and giving more nations the opportunity to compete on the continent’s biggest stage.
Speaking on the expansion, Motsepe emphasized that the decision reflects CAF’s commitment to raising the profile of African football internationally.
“Our goal is to create a world-class tournament that brings together the finest talent from across Africa and from African players abroad,” Motsepe said.
“Expanding the competition will allow more countries to showcase their football and give fans more exciting matches to enjoy.”
While the announcement marks a significant shift in the tournament’s structure, the CAF president did not provide specifics regarding how the 28-team format would be organized.
Questions remain about how the new structure will affect group stages, knockout rounds, and the overall schedule. The timing of the expansion is also unclear, leaving national federations and fans eager for more information on how the changes will be implemented.
The expansion comes as African football continues to grow in competitiveness and global recognition. With more nations involved, the tournament is expected to offer increased exposure for emerging players and teams that have traditionally struggled to qualify.
Football analysts have noted that a 28-team format could make the competition more unpredictable, with room for surprise results and potential breakthroughs from smaller footballing nations.
CAF’s decision is likely to have implications for qualification campaigns as well. More teams in the finals mean that more nations will have the chance to qualify, which could lead to more competitive qualifying groups and increased opportunities for national teams to test their squads.
It also raises questions about scheduling and logistics, as organizing matches for a larger number of teams will require careful planning to ensure a smooth tournament experience for players, officials, and fans alike.
The move has been welcomed by football fans across Africa, many of whom view it as a step toward giving every nation a fair chance at continental glory.
CAF has stated that its aim is to create a tournament that celebrates African football, encourages development across all regions, and continues to attract global attention to the sport on the continent.
As CAF prepares for the next AFCON edition, which will be held in Morocco in 2025 despite protests surrounding the host nation, further details about the 28-team format are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
The expansion is being seen as a bold step toward elevating African football standards, giving more players the platform to shine, and enhancing the tournament’s appeal both domestically and internationally.
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