CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations will be expanded to 28 teams, up from the current 24, while also confirming that the governing body is implementing significant changes to its statutes and regulations following the controversial final of Morocco 2025.
The expansion announcement came at a press conference following an executive committee meeting on Sunday, with Motsepe describing it as evidence of CAF’s “commitment to world-class football with the best African players from all over the world returning to compete on the continent.”
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No details were provided on how the format will accommodate the four additional teams, nor when the expansion will take effect.
The last four editions of the tournament have featured 24 participants, a figure that was itself an increase from 16 teams when the expanded format was introduced in 2019.
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 finals will proceed as planned across the East African co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. A further edition is scheduled for 2028, after which AFCON will transition to a four-year cycle.
CAF also announced the introduction of an annual Nations League from 2029, featuring a 16-team final tournament held every two years.
“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.
On the matter of governance and officiating, CAF issued a formal statement confirming it is overhauling its statutes and regulations to restore confidence in referees, VAR operators, match commissioners, and its disciplinary and appeal boards — bodies whose credibility took a significant hit following the scenes at the Morocco 2025 final, a match whose fallout is currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
CAF noted that referees and VAR operators at the 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire had earned widespread praise and said it was determined to return to that standard. The organisation confirmed it has sought legal advice from African and international football lawyers and is working with FIFA on the ongoing training and professionalisation of African officials.
“CAF is currently implementing far-reaching changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations, which will strengthen the trust and confidence in CAF Referees, VAR Operators, Match Commissioners and in the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board,” Motsepe said.
He added that equal treatment of all 54 member associations remains non-negotiable, and that CAF’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption had been a factor in attracting new sponsors and partners to the organisation.
CAF said its current primary focus, beyond the reforms, remains on the CAF Confederation Cup, the CAF Champions League, and supporting African nations preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States.
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