Africa Cup of Nations Set for Major Change Under New CAF Structure
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 teams starting with the 2027 edition, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed.
The tournament, which will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, will feature a new format as CAF continues efforts to grow Africa’s biggest football competition.
Motsepe said the expansion reflects CAF’s ambition to increase the tournament’s global appeal and provide more African nations with the opportunity to compete on the continent’s biggest stage.
The decision comes after CAF recently changed AFCON from a two-year competition cycle to a four-year schedule.
New Group Stage Format Announced
Under the new structure, the 28 participating teams will be divided into seven groups of four during the group stage.
CAF is expected to release further details on the qualification process and how teams will advance to the knockout stages.
The expanded format will create more matches and give more countries the chance to showcase their football talent.
CAF believes the change will help improve competitiveness while increasing commercial opportunities around the tournament.
2027 AFCON Qualifiers Schedule
CAF has confirmed that qualifying matches for the 2027 tournament will take place across three international windows.
The qualification period will begin from September 21 to October 6, 2026, before continuing from November 9 to 17, 2026.
The final qualifying window is scheduled for March 22 to 30, 2027.
Teams across Africa will compete for places in the expanded tournament, with CAF expected to provide additional details on the qualification format.
Women’s AFCON Prize Money Increased
Alongside changes to the men’s competition, CAF also announced a major increase in prize money for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament winners will now receive $2 million, doubling the previous prize of $1 million.
CAF also confirmed that each of the 16 qualified teams will receive at least $150,000.
Motsepe said the investment reflects CAF’s commitment to supporting women’s football and improving opportunities for players and teams across Africa.
The increase comes as women’s football continues to experience significant growth in popularity and investment worldwide.
Motsepe Praises African Football Growth
During his announcement, Motsepe also praised African teams competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting their progress and achievements on the global stage.
He also expressed his personal support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of Infantino’s re-election campaign.
The CAF president said African football continues to develop and that stronger competitions, increased investment, and improved structures are necessary to maintain that growth.
With AFCON expanding to 28 teams, CAF hopes the new format will create a bigger platform for African football while strengthening the tournament’s position as one of the world’s most competitive international competitions.
