Wire flash
CAF Clarifies: 2027 AFCON to Remain at 24 Teams, Reversing President's Earlier Statement
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
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.
Source report
Confusion Follows Motsepe's Announcement
During a press conference on Wednesday, CAF President Patrice Motsepe surprised observers by stating that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would expand from 24 to 28 teams.
"We have increased the number of participants for the next edition of the AFCON; we will move to 28 teams," Motsepe said.
The remark sparked widespread reactions, particularly as Motsepe also hinted at further expansion to offer more spots to African national teams.
CAF Issues Official Correction
Amid the ensuing confusion, the Confederation of African Football released an official statement to set the record straight:
"Clarification: During Wednesday's press conference, the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, confirmed that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will feature 24 national teams. Information relayed by some media outlets suggesting otherwise is inaccurate. The 2027 AFCON will take place in June–July 2027, and the qualifiers will begin in September/October 2026."
Key Facts at a Glance
- Tournament: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
- Format: 24 teams (unchanged from current edition)
- Hosts: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania (joint organization)
- Tournament dates: June–July 2027
- Qualifiers start: September/October 2026
This article was originally published on July 23, 2026, at 18:55 and updated at 18:56.
Source
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertRegional
Part of this Story
CAF Clarifies 2027 AFCON Will Remain at 24 Teams, Reversing Expansion Plan