CAF confirms 24-team format will remain for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will feature 24 teams, ending speculation that the tournament could be expanded.

CAF clarified in an official statement that there are “no plans” to increase the number of participating nations beyond the format used in recent editions, despite reports in some media outlets suggesting otherwise.

The governing body said its president, Patrice Motsepe, addressed the matter directly during a press conference held on Wednesday, reiterating that the 2027 finals will follow the same structure.

“During the press conference held on Wednesday, the President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will bring together 24 national teams,” CAF stated.

It added: “The information published by some media, which suggests the opposite, is inaccurate.”

Tournament timing and hosts confirmed

CAF also restated the timing of the next tournament, which will be staged across three East African nations for the first time.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in June and July 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda sharing hosting duties. The qualifying competition for the finals is scheduled to begin in September/October 2026.

CAF specified that the qualifying campaign will run from September 2026 through to March 2027, setting out a tight window for teams to secure their places at the 24-team finals.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are preparing to jointly host the competition, marking a significant moment for the region as it stages Africa’s premier international tournament.

Recent history and Egypt’s position

Morocco hosted the most recent edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt finished in fourth place.

Egypt are already aware of their group-stage opponents for the 2027 qualifying campaign. They have been drawn in a section alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi as they look to reach the finals in East Africa.

The fixtures and schedule for Egypt’s matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have been determined, with the games to be played within the September 2026 to March 2027 window.

CAF’s latest clarification aligns with previous indications that the 24-team format, introduced at the 2019 tournament, will be retained for the foreseeable future, while the focus now shifts to the build-up for qualifiers and preparations by the three host nations.