The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), increasing the number of participating teams from 24 to 28 nations beginning with the 2027 edition.
The tournament, scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the “Pamoja” project, marking the first time East Africa will stage the continental showpiece.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe explained that the expansion is aimed at giving more national teams the opportunity to compete at the highest level, while also enhancing the competitiveness and global appeal of the AFCON. He noted that the decision reflects CAF’s broader ambition to promote football development across the continent.
Under the new format, the 28 teams will be divided into seven groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16, alongside the two best third-placed teams. This ensures the knockout phase remains intact, as introduced in 2019 when AFCON expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
The move represents the largest expansion in the history of the tournament. Prior to 2019, AFCON featured 16 teams, before being increased to 24 for the Egypt edition. The 2027 expansion to 28 teams is expected to provide greater opportunities for mid-tier football nations to qualify, while also intensifying competition in the group stages.
The three East African hosts are required to provide at least two CAF-approved stadiums each, a demand that has already triggered significant infrastructure preparations in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.
