CAF Clarifies 2027 AFCON Will Remain at 24 Teams, Reversing Expansion Plan
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will retain its 24-team format, reversing President Patrice Motsepe’s earlier statement about expanding to 28 teams. The tournament, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, will proceed with qualifiers starting in September 2026. Motsepe also announced increased prize money for the Women’s AFCON and addressed the 2025 final dispute. The clarification ended confusion sparked by the initial announcement.
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CAF President Confirms 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Will Not Expand, Remains at 24 Teams
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially clarified the format for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, reversing earlier indications of expansion. CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed at a press conference that the tournament will retain the current 24-team format, rather than expanding to 28 teams as previously announced. The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the first time three nations jointly host the event. Qualifiers are set to begin in September 2026 and conclude at the end of March 2027. The announcement ends speculation about format changes for the upcoming continental championship.
Read sourceCAF Confirms 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Will Feature 24 Teams
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will retain its current 24-team format, putting an end to rumors of an expansion to 28 teams. The announcement was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe in a press release published on X. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in June and July 2027. Qualifying matches will begin during the first international break of the 2026-2027 season, from September 21 to October 6, 2026. Teams must finish in the top two of one of the twelve qualification groups to secure a spot. The qualification phase will conclude in March 2027, a few months before the tournament kicks off.
Read sourceCAF Clarifies: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations to Feature 24 Teams, Not 28
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a clarification regarding the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the tournament will be played with 24 teams, contrary to an earlier announcement that suggested an expansion to 28 teams. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe made the confirmation during a press conference. The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—the first time three countries will co-host the competition. Qualifiers for the tournament are set to begin in September and conclude at the end of March. The article notes that with the 24-team format, qualifier groups typically produce fewer 'groups of death,' as the top two teams from each group advance to the final phase, with the exception of challenging groups such as Group B featuring Ivory Coast and Ghana.
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CAF Reverses Decision: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations to Remain at 24 Teams
On July 23, 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a statement clarifying that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will retain its current 24-team format, reversing earlier comments by CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Two days prior, Motsepe had announced during a press conference that the tournament would expand to 28 teams, sparking widespread reactions. CAF's official clarification stated that the 2027 AFCON, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will feature 24 national teams, with qualifiers starting in September/October 2026 and the tournament scheduled for June-July 2027. The article highlights the confusion caused by Motsepe's initial statement and the subsequent correction by CAF.
CAF President Motsepe Confirms AFCON Expansion to 28 Teams for 2027 Edition
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirmed during a press conference in Johannesburg that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 teams starting with the 2027 edition. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. Motsepe praised the performances of the 10 African teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and announced a significant increase in prize money for the Women's AFCON, with the winner's share rising from $1 million to $2 million. He also addressed the ongoing dispute over the 2025 AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, stating that CAF awaits the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The expansion follows the trend of larger international tournaments, including the 48-team World Cup in 2026.