CAF increase number of teams at AFCON from 2027 tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will undergo another major change after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed an expansion of the tournament from 24 to 28 teams.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the decision on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, revealing that the new format will be introduced at the 2027 edition of the competition, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The 2027 AFCON tournament is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, with more nations now set to have the opportunity to compete on Africa’s biggest football stage.

The tournament has featured 24 teams since the 2019 edition held in Egypt, a format that replaced the previous 16-team structure. However, CAF has now opted to increase participation further as part of efforts to expand opportunities for member associations.

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Motsepe explained that the decision was made to give more countries the chance to qualify for the continental showpiece while continuing to improve the quality and competitiveness of African football.

The CAF president added that the organisation remains committed to strengthening its competitions and creating more platforms for nations across the continent to develop.

The 2027 edition will be the final AFCON tournament held under the current cycle before the competition moves to a four-year schedule after that.



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