The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced a historic format change for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), aimining to modernize the tournament and allow more African nations to compete at the highest level.
Motsepe Reveals New 28-Team Format in South Africa
Speaking at a press conference in South Africa on Wednesday, CAF President Patrice Motsepe unveiled details of the decision following months of discussions regarding the tournament’s structure. Motsepe confirmed that the number of participating teams will increase from 24 to 28 nations, effective starting from the upcoming AFCON 2027.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to Host Historic 2027 Edition
The 2027 tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, marking the first-time a triple-nation bid hosts the flagship African football tournament.
New Group Stage and Knockout Structure
Under the new format, the 28 qualified teams will be divided into 7 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16. This expansion opens up spots for four additional national teams, building on the 24-team format introduced during Egypt 2019.
AFCON to Switch to Every Four Years After 2028
This major change comes ahead of another edition scheduled for 2028, after which the Africa Cup of Nations will officially transition to a four-year cycle as part of CAF’s broader overhaul of the continental football calendar.
