CAF insists 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will feature 24 teams, not 28

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will remain a 24-team tournament, moving to end confusion sparked by comments from its president Patrice Motsepe.

In a statement issued on Thursday, CAF underlined that the next edition of the competition, scheduled to take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027, will follow the same 24-team format used at the last four tournaments.

The clarification comes after Motsepe appeared on Wednesday to indicate that the Africa Cup of Nations would expand to 28 teams, prompting widespread speculation that the change could be introduced for 2027.

CAF moves to end speculation —

CAF said its president’s remarks at a midweek press conference had been misinterpreted and stressed that the format for 2027 has not been altered.

“Lors de la conference de presse de mercredi, le President de la CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe, a confirme que la TotalEnergies CAF Coupe d’Afrique des Nations 2027 reunira 24 equipes nationales. Les informations relayees par certains medias, qui suggerent le contraire, sont inexactes.”

The governing body also repeated that message in a social media post, stating again that any reports suggesting a move to 28 teams for the 2027 tournament were wrong.

The 24-team structure, introduced for the 2019 edition in Egypt, has since been used at the finals held in Cameroon and in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the rescheduled 2021 tournament, and will now continue in East Africa in 2027.

Qualifying dates confirmed

CAF used the same communication to confirm that qualifiers for the 2027 finals will begin in the international windows spanning September and October of this year.

Further details on the draw and the full qualifying schedule have yet to be released, but the timeline means competing national teams can start formal preparation for the next finals while the format question has been put beyond doubt.

No change of host nation –

Motsepe had already moved on Wednesday to reject separate claims about a possible change of host for the 2027 tournament.

Reports had suggested that CAF was privately asking Morocco to stage the competition again, after hosting the most recent edition last winter, in place of the East African co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The CAF president denied those rumours, reiterating that the finals remain allocated to the three East African countries and that there is no plan to relocate the event.

By reiterating both the format and the hosting arrangements, CAF is attempting to close down two strands of speculation around its flagship competition and provide clarity to national associations, players and supporters across the continent.