The Africa Cup of Nations is set to be expanded from 24 to 28 teams as part of major reforms announced by the Confederation of African Football. CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the decision after an executive committee meeting in Cairo.
Motsepe said the expansion aims to increase participation and competitiveness across the continent. He noted that more countries will now have a realistic chance of reaching the finals, giving fans and players in smaller nations a bigger stake in the tournament.
The CAF president linked the changes to a broader restructuring of African football. Alongside the AFCON expansion, CAF plans to launch an African Nations League and adjust the international calendar to give national teams more meaningful games.
Motsepe also promised regulation changes to rebuild trust in referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies. CAF has been under pressure after its Appeals Board stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarded it to Morocco, a decision widely criticised across Africa.
While the expansion has been confirmed, CAF has not yet released full details of the new 28 team format. Key questions remain about how qualification will work, how many teams will advance from the group stage, and how the match schedule will be structured.
CAF indicated that the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will still use the current 24 team format. The new 28 team structure is expected to come into effect from the 2028 edition, after which AFCON will move to a four year cycle.
Supporters of the move say it reflects the growth of African football and the increasing number of competitive national teams. Critics, however, warn that a larger tournament could strain logistics, stadium quality and travel planning if not carefully managed.
Motsepe insists that CAF is committed to delivering world class competitions. He said the reforms are designed to showcase the best African players, strengthen governance, and ensure that recent controversies are not repeated.
About the author
Streaming Shift, Career Attacks Affected My Fanbase – Lizzo
American singer Lizzo said the music industry's shift from radio to streaming platforms contributed to a decline in her fanbase over the past few years. The Grammy-winning artist addressed the issue while responding to a fan on X who noted that her following had reduced. She stated that the industry's move toward streaming has affected artists who relied on traditional radio exposure, explaining: "The industry changed so much in the last 3 yrs. Streaming replaced radio & I was a radio darling. That's how my fans discovered my music." "Not to mention the very obvious & public attack on my career changed things. But I'm out here doing my absolute best," she wrote when addressing the fan. Lizzo also alluded to a lawsuit she faced in August 2023, where three former backup dancers accused her of various forms of harassment, […]
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Florentino Pérez Re-elected as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after defeating rival candidate Enrique Riquelme in the club's first contested presidential election in 20 years. The club's electoral commission announced that Pérez secured 65% of the vote with 21,741 ballots, while Riquelme claimed 35% with 11,814 votes. Pérez, 79, has been Real Madrid president since 2009, and before that between 2000 and 2006, making this his second stint in charge of the club. He proclaimed victory during a speech at a hotel near the Bernabéu stadium, while his rival candidate, Enrique Riquelme, accepted defeat. It was the first contested election the club had held in 20 years, with Pérez elected unopposed in the previous five electoral cycles in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. In January 2025, Pérez was previously re-elected as the club's president until 2029, but following his […]
Bellingham Must Fight for England World Cup Starting Spot, Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham that he must fight for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, citing intense competition within a squad of 14-15 potential starters. "Yes, he has," Tuchel said when asked whether Bellingham has a fight on his hands to be in the starting XI. Tuchel explained that while Bellingham is undeniably one of England's starters, the competition is fierce and roles can shift throughout the tournament. "He knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them," the England boss told reporters. Bellingham will battle it out with Morgan Rogers to determine who starts as England's No.10 for the World […]
FG Clears Over 1,240 Contractors Under N100m Claims
The federal government has cleared over 1,240 contractors with verified claims under N100 million, marking a major step in addressing the government's payment backlog to indigenous construction firms. The clearance follows sustained protests by the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) over an estimated debt backlog for capital projects executed during recent fiscal years. The Federal Ministry of Finance maintains that payments were only authorised following a rigorous multi-stage verification process to ensure claims were genuine and properly documented. The clearance exercise includes contractors across various sectors including infrastructure development, housing projects,道路 construction, water supply systems, and electricity generation facilities. Minister of State for Finance Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite confirmed the disbursement in a statement issued after sustained protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters by indigenous firms. The payment aims to address a portion of the estimated […]
Related
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Florentino Pérez Re-elected as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after defeating rival candidate Enrique Riquelme in the club's first contested presidential election in 20 years. The club's electoral commission announced that Pérez secured 65% of the vote with 21,741 ballots, while Riquelme claimed 35% with 11,814 votes. Pérez, 79, has been Real Madrid president since 2009, and before that between 2000 and 2006, making this his second stint in charge of the club. He proclaimed victory during a speech at a hotel near the Bernabéu stadium, while his rival candidate, Enrique Riquelme, accepted defeat. It was the first contested election the club had held in 20 years, with Pérez elected unopposed in the previous five electoral cycles in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. In January 2025, Pérez was previously re-elected as the club's president until 2029, but following his […]
Bellingham Must Fight for England World Cup Starting Spot, Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham that he must fight for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, citing intense competition within a squad of 14-15 potential starters. "Yes, he has," Tuchel said when asked whether Bellingham has a fight on his hands to be in the starting XI. Tuchel explained that while Bellingham is undeniably one of England's starters, the competition is fierce and roles can shift throughout the tournament. "He knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them," the England boss told reporters. Bellingham will battle it out with Morgan Rogers to determine who starts as England's No.10 for the World […]
Pictorial: Top 10 Standout 2026 World Cup Team Send-Offs & Photoshoots
As teams prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, national football associations have unveiled spectacular send-off ceremonies and squad photos that have captured fans' attention. Here are the top 10 most standout send-offs and photoshoots. 1. Norway's Viking-Themed Squad Portrait Norway's national team marked its first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a dramatic Viking-themed squad portrait. Supporters unveiled a rowing routine to bring the same Viking spirit to the stands, making it the World Cup image everyone is talking about. 2. Paraguay's Jaw-Dropping Send-Off Paraguay enjoyed the most jaw-dropping FIFA World Cup 2026 send-off, even following Brazil's iconic flight baptism ritual. The South American nation defeated Nicaragua 4-0 in their final warm-up match before heading to the tournament. 3. Brazil's Iconic Flight Baptism Brazil's national […]
Ajide APC Unity Cup Announces One-Week Registration Extension
The organizers of the Ajide APC Unity Cup football tournament have announced a one-week extension to the registration deadline for clubs wishing to participate in the competition. The extension comes in response to renewed interest from football clubs across the state and a desire to ensure more teams can contest for the prestigious trophy. The tournament, which is organized in partnership with the All Progressings Congress (APC), has been designed to promote youth development and unity through football. Registration for the upcoming edition had originally closed on a specified date, but organizers have now extended the window to allow more clubs to register. Tajudeen Ajide Foundation, which runs the tournament in partnership with APC, has been working to finalize plans for the competition. The Under-20 championship has been structured to run across all five Lagos State Football Association divisions, with […]
World Cup 2026: 14 Coaches Set for Their FIFA World Cup Debut
Fourteen coaches will make their first FIFA World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The competition kicks off from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the three host nations. The most notable coaches waiting for their World Cup debut in 2026 include Mauricio Pochettino (United States), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Julian Nagelsmann (Germany), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan), Jamal Sellami (Jordan) and Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo). Each arrives with a very different background but all will experience the tournament from the touchline for the first time. Among World Cup beginners are Tchouli (Algeria), Vladimir Petković (Algérie), Tony Popovic (Australia), Ralf Rangnick (Austria), Rudi Garcia (Belgium), Serghey Barbarez (Bosnia), Jesse Marsch (Canada), Bubista (Cape Verde), Néstor Lorenzo (Colombia), Zlatko Dalić (Croatia), Dick Advocaat (Curaçao), and Miroslav Koubek (Czech […]