The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 teams beginning with the 2027 edition, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has confirmed.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, Motsepe announced that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the expansion as part of its commitment to growing the game across the continent and providing more nations with the opportunity to compete at Africa’s biggest football tournament.
“We have increased the number of teams participating in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe said.
The decision marks another significant milestone in the evolution of the competition. AFCON expanded from 16 to 24 teams in 2019, a move that increased the number of matches and gave more countries the chance to qualify for the continental showpiece. The latest expansion to 28 teams is expected to further boost competition, improve representation from across Africa and create additional opportunities for emerging football nations.
The enlarged tournament is also likely to have implications for the qualification format, with more places available for member associations across CAF’s six regional zones. Details regarding the revised qualification system and tournament format are expected to be announced by CAF in due course.
For traditional powerhouses such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and Senegal, the expansion is unlikely to change expectations of qualification. However, it offers greater hope for developing football nations seeking to make their AFCON debut or return to the competition after long absences.
The 2027 edition will become the biggest Africa Cup of Nations in history, reflecting CAF’s broader vision of accelerating football development across the continent. The governing body has, in recent years, also increased investment in competitions, raised prize money and expanded women’s football tournaments as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Motsepe believes expanding AFCON will strengthen the competitiveness of African football and provide more players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the continent’s biggest sporting stages.
The move is expected to be welcomed by many member associations as African football continues to experience rapid growth on and off the pitch.
Credit:- 3news.com
