DAR ES SALAAM : The number of teams at the Africa Cup of Nations finals could be increased to 28, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said on Friday, while reaffirming the tournament will be held every four years after 2028.
Speaking at a press conference in the Tanzanian capital, Motsepe said there were plans to expand the finals from 24 to 28 teams but did not provide a timeline for the change.
The Cup of Nations has featured 24 teams at its last four editions after being expanded from 16. The current format divides the teams into six groups of four, though Motsepe did not explain how an additional four teams would be accommodated.
CAF has 54 member associations, meaning a 28-team tournament would include more than half of its membership.
Motsepe reiterated that the tournament would switch to a four-year cycle after 2028, a move announced in December that drew criticism. The competition has been staged every two years since 1968.
He also dismissed media reports that the 2027 finals would be moved from co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda amid concerns about infrastructure readiness.
“CAF and African football will be enormously successful this year and the years ahead. We believe that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will deliver a good tournament next year,” Motsepe said.
The CAF president added that African football had been embarrassed by incidents that marred the 2025 final, when Senegal walked off the pitch after a penalty was awarded against them.
“I am deeply disappointed by the unacceptable events that unfolded during the final,” he said.
“We will amend the CAF statutes and the disciplinary code to ensure that our judicial bodies have the authority to impose punishments that reflect the severity of such conduct. Our goal is to protect the integrity, reputation and global standing of African football.”
Senegal, who went on to win the final, and Morocco were both fined for incidents during last month’s decider in Rabat.
