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CAF President Motsepe confirms AFCON expansion to 28 teams for 2027 edition
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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.
Source report
One year before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed the expansion of the tournament from 24 to 28 teams. Four additional nations will travel to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for the competition.
Expansion Confirmed
Following the 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Africa Cup of Nations will expand to 28 teams in 2027. Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, Motsepe confirmed the long-anticipated change.
"We have increased the number of participants for the next edition of the AFCON," he told journalists, confirming the increase from 24 to 28 teams.
Host Nations and Preparations
The 2027 AFCON will take place from June 19 to July 17 next year, hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
"The governments of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are demonstrating exemplary commitment and working closely with CAF to ensure that all infrastructure (stadiums, training grounds, accommodations, transport, security and medical systems, technological networks, and broadcasting means) meets the requirements necessary for the success of the event," CAF stated following the press conference.
Other Key Announcements
- 2026 World Cup performances: Motsepe praised the "remarkable performances achieved by the 10 African teams competing in the 2026 World Cup."
- Women's AFCON prize money: A "significant increase in financial allocations" was announced, with the winning team's prize rising from $1 million to $2 million.
- 2025 AFCON final dispute: Regarding the controversial final between Morocco and Senegal, Motsepe stated: "We are awaiting the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Things are not in our hands. We await the decisions and we will apply them." The CAF appeals jury had previously crowned Morocco after Senegal's disqualification, a decision the Senegalese Federation has challenged at CAS.
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CAF Clarifies 2027 AFCON Will Remain at 24 Teams, Reversing Expansion Plan