AFCON set for 28-team expansion as CAF announces 4-year cycle

By Tosin Omojola

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 teams, signaling a major structural shift in the continent’s flagship football tournament.

CAF disclosed that the new format will take effect in the competition cycle following the 2027 edition, which is set to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Under the proposed structure, the tournament will comprise seven groups of four teams each, increasing participation and widening access to Africa’s premier football stage.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe also announced that AFCON will move from its current biennial schedule to a four-year cycle starting from 2028, in a bid to better align with the global football calendar.

The expansion and scheduling adjustments form part of CAF’s broader strategy to boost competitiveness, enhance the quality of the tournament, and raise the global profile of African football.

The move mirrors wider trends in international football, including the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams.

CAF expressed confidence that the reforms will strengthen AFCON’s stature and create greater opportunities for emerging football nations across the continent.