Africa Cup of Nations to be increased to 28 teams

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to be increased to 28 teams ​from 24, CAF president Patrice Motsepe said ‌on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The surprise announcement was made at a press conference following an executive committee meeting with Motsepe saying ​it was evidence of his organisation's "commitment to ​world-class football with the best African players ⁠from all over the world returning to compete ​on the continent."

But he did not explain how ​the format will work with four extra teams, nor when it would be implemented.

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The last four Cup of Nations ​finals have all had 24 participants, increased ​from 16 in 2019. Motsepe insisted the 2027 finals would go ‌ahead ⁠as planned in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

There is to be another Cup of Nations tournament in 2028, after which the continent's showpiece event will ​be held ​every four ⁠years.

CAF is to introduce a Nations League annually from 2029 with a ​16-team final tournament held every two years, ​he ⁠added.

"We have to stop this thing of African fixtures not being predictable, consistent and reliable. We ⁠must ​develop football in East Africa, ​which is an area of much potential," Motsepe said.

Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with Sports Minister Kofi Adams below: