Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), made several key announcements regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Speaking at a press conference, Motsepe emphasized CAF's commitment to ensuring African teams are well-prepared for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Motsepe confirmed that CAF will increase financial support for African national teams participating in the World Cup, including bonuses for qualifying and performance. He also announced plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams starting from the 2027 edition, aiming to increase competitiveness and representation across the continent.
Additionally, Motsepe highlighted infrastructure investments in African football, including stadium renovations and youth development programs. He stated that CAF is working with FIFA to secure more slots for African teams in future World Cups, though no specific numbers were confirmed.
The announcements come as CAF seeks to improve the performance of African teams on the global stage, with only Morocco reaching the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup. Motsepe expressed optimism about the continent's football future, citing growing investment and talent.
