CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on July 22, 2026, that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 teams starting with the 2027 tournament. The decision was made during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 2027 AFCON, officially named AFCON Pamoja 2027, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. This marks the first time three nations will jointly host the tournament.
Motsepe stated that the expansion aims to give more African nations the opportunity to compete at the highest level and to grow football across the continent. The format change will require adjustments to the qualification process and group stage structure.
The CAF president also confirmed that the expanded tournament will maintain the same duration as previous editions, with additional matches scheduled to accommodate the extra teams.
