The Confederation of African Football has announced plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations to 28 participating countries, a move aimed at boosting competitiveness and giving more nations a chance to feature on Africa’s biggest football stage.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the proposal during a press briefing in Tanzania, confirming that the tournament would also be staged every four years if the plan is approved. According to Motsepe, the changes are designed to modernize African football, improve preparation time for national teams, and enhance the global appeal of AFCON.
The expansion would allow smaller footballing nations to compete alongside traditional powerhouses, while the four-year cycle is expected to raise the overall quality of the competition. CAF is now set to consult member associations and key stakeholders to finalize the format, qualification process, and logistics.
If adopted, the proposal would represent a landmark shift in AFCON’s structure and further strengthen its status as Africa’s flagship football tournament.
