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AFCON Expansion Plans: 28 Teams in Sight

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CAF President Patrice Motsepe
CAF President Patrice Motsepe pushes for AFCON growth

CAF President Patrice Motsepe reveals plans to expand Africa Cup of Nations to 28 teams, with tournament held every four years from 2028.



“Our goal is to protect the integrity, reputation, and global standing of African football...”


CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed disappointment over incidents that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, specifically mentioning Senegal walking off the pitch after a penalty was awarded against them. He emphasized that such behavior embarrasses African football.



The Africa Cup of Nations has grown from a 16-team tournament to a 24-team event for the last four editions. Now, CAF President Patrice Motsepe is hinting at further expansion to 28 teams, which would mean over half of CAF's 54 member associations would be participating.


The current format features six groups of four teams, but Motsepe hasn't revealed how the additional four teams would fit into the tournament structure. The expansion aims to increase competitiveness and give more nations a chance to shine on the continental stage.


CAF President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will switch to a four-year cycle from 2028, a move that previously drew criticism. The tournament had been held every two years since 1968, but the new schedule aims to align with other major international competitions.


The decision to hold AFCON every four years is part of CAF's broader vision to modernize African football and improve the tournament's global appeal. 






CAF President Patrice Motsepe has denied rumors that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations would be relocated from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda due to infrastructure concerns. Motsepe emphasized that the three East African countries will deliver a successful tournament, saying, “CAF and African football will be enormously successful this year and the years ahead. We believe that Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will deliver a good tournament next year.”


“I am deeply disappointed by the ‌unacceptable events that unfolded during the final,” Motsepe told reporters.


“We will amend the CAF statutes and the disciplinary code ‌to ensure that our judicial bodies have the authority to impose punishments that reflect the severity of such conduct.


“Our goal is to protect the integrity, reputation, and global standing of African football.”


The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering expanding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to 28 teams, according to CAF President Patrice Motsepe. This move aims to increase competitiveness and give more nations a chance to shine on the continental stage. The current format features 24 teams, and Motsepe didn't specify how the additional four teams would be accommodated.




The proposed expansion is part of CAF's broader vision to modernize African football, improve the tournament's competitiveness, and enhance its global appeal. If approved, the 28-team field would constitute more than half of CAF's 54 member associations. The tournament would also be held every four years, starting from 2028, instead of the previous two-year cycle.


“I am deeply disappointed by the ‌unacceptable events that unfolded during the final,” Motsepe told reporters.


“We will amend the CAF statutes and the disciplinary code ‌to ensure that our judicial bodies have the authority to impose punishments that reflect the severity of such conduct.


“Our goal is to protect the integrity, reputation, and global standing of African football.”





Senegal and Morocco, the finalists in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, were fined for their behavior in the chaotic decider in Rabat. Senegal, the eventual winners, and Morocco were both penalized for incidents that marred the match.


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