The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is entering a new era. Starting with the 2027 edition, the tournament's final phase will feature 28 national teams, up from the current 24, CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on Wednesday in Johannesburg.
"We have decided to increase the number of participating teams from 24 to 28 starting with AFCON 2027," the CAF president said during a press conference in South Africa.
Scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, the next edition will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It will be the first AFCON in history to feature 28 nations, reflecting CAF's determination to further expand Africa's premier football tournament.
However, the details of the reform have yet to be announced. CAF has not yet revealed the new competition format, the number of groups, or the qualification criteria that will apply during the qualifiers.
On the same occasion, Patrice Motsepe also announced a significant increase in the prize money for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The winners of the tournament will now receive $2 million, double the previous amount, in a move aimed at supporting the development of women's football across the continent.
The CAF President also praised the performances of African national teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and reaffirmed his support for Gianni Infantino ahead of his next bid for re-election as FIFA President.
