Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 participating countries in a major shake-up aimed at strengthening competition and broadening representation across the continent.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the proposal, explaining that the expansion is designed to give more African nations the opportunity to compete at the highest level while accelerating the development of football across the continent.
Currently, 24 teams qualify for Africa’s flagship football tournament, a format that was introduced to increase participation and visibility.
However, CAF believes the proposed 28-team structure will further enhance competitiveness and inclusivity, allowing emerging football nations to test themselves against Africa’s elite.
In addition to the expansion, CAF also confirmed that the tournament will now be staged every four years instead of the existing two-year cycle.
According to Motsepe, the extended interval will provide national teams with more time to prepare, strengthen their squads, and build tactical consistency.
The CAF president emphasized that the new four-year cycle will enable countries to invest more strategically in youth development, infrastructure, and long-term planning.
He noted that this approach is expected to raise the overall quality of the competition while giving participating nations adequate time to assemble competitive teams capable of delivering high-level performances.
Football analysts believe the decision could significantly reshape the landscape of African football, creating opportunities for smaller footballing nations to gain continental exposure and experience.
The move is also expected to increase commercial value, fan engagement, and global attention for AFCON.
If approved and implemented, the expanded format would mark one of the most significant structural reforms in the tournament’s history, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to growing the game and strengthening Africa’s presence on the global football stage.
