AFCON Expands To 28 Teams; Yet CAF Leaves Big Questions Unanswered – Report

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 9:01 PM IST

CAF reportedly confirmed AFCON’s expansion to include 28 teams instead of 24. But, there exists a lack of clarity regarding when and how the changes will be implemented.

AFCON has already undergone one major expansion in recent years, moving from 16 to 24 teams in 2019. (Credit: X)

Amid all the Africa Cup of Nations drama, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a bold move that has raised quite a few eyebrows.

According to FlashScoreCAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that AFCON will expand from 24 to 28 teams.

The announcement came following an executive committee meeting, with Motsepe framing it as part of CAF’s “commitment to world-class football” and a broader push to bring top African talent back to the continent.

Yet, the finer details regarding the execution of the proposed plan remain unclear — such as when the expansion will take effect or how the format will accommodate the additional four teams.

Expansion Without A Blueprint

AFCON has already undergone one major expansion in recent years, moving from 16 to 24 teams in 2019.

Motsepe did confirm that the 2027 edition, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, will proceed as planned, suggesting the expansion may come into effect later. He also revealed that an additional tournament is slated for 2028, after which AFCON will shift to a four-year cycle.

According to the report, CAF is also planning a new Nations League-style competition from 2029, featuring a 16-team finals tournament every two years.

Governance Reforms In Focus

Beyond expansion, CAF is attempting to restore credibility following the controversial conclusion to the 2025 AFCON final — thanks to which Senegal were stripped of their title after a chaotic sequence involving a walk-off protest and a disputed penalty decision.

Motsepe acknowledged the need for reform, announcing planned updates to statutes and regulations aimed at improving trust in referees, VAR systems, and judicial processes.

“CAF has taken extensive legal advice… to ensure that the statutes and regulations adhere to global best practices,” he said, adding that the organisation is working with FIFA on training officials.

However, concrete details on how these reforms will be implemented are yet to be shared.

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