The President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations will expand to 28 teams.
Motsepe announced the decision on Sunday, March 29, following the conclusion of CAF’s executive committee meeting.
The South African said the move is part of CAF’s commitment to elevating African football.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, he did not explain how the format will work with four extra teams, nor when it would be implemented.
The last four editions of the Cup of Nations featured 24 teams, following an increase from 16 participants in 2019.
Motsepe also confirmed that the next AFCON will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027 as planned, and another event will be held in 2028, at which time the event will be gradually adjusted to a fixed cycle of once every four years.
Meanwhile, The General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Véron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned from his position due to the growing fallout over the decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.
In a statement dated Sunday, March 29, 2026, from Cairo, Egypt, Mosengo-Omba announced his resignation after over 30 years, effective immediately, to pursue personal projects.
The 66-year-old has been criticised for staying on as general secretary past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63.
He has also been accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere in the workplace, although an investigation after staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Mosengo-Omba, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo but also holds Swiss nationality, was appointed general secretary in March 2021.
In the resignation letter, the former General Secretary expressed confidence in CAF’s prosperous future under President Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
“After over 30 years of an international professional career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as Secretary General of CAF to devote myself to more personal projects,” Mosengo-Omba said.
“Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to cast on me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving the CAF more prosperous than ever,” Mosengo-Omba said.
“I sincerely thank the CAF’s President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, my teams, and all those who, directly or indirectly, have enabled CAF and organized African football to make real and remarkable progress. Let us hope that the progress made will last and be sustained.”
