The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected a proposal to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 24 to 28 teams after the plan failed to secure support from the organization’s Executive Committee.
According to a report by The Guardian published on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the proposal was introduced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe during a press conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in February. If approved, the expansion would have taken effect from the 2028 tournament.
Executive Committee members voted against the proposal during deliberations, effectively shelving the plan. Speaking anonymously, one member said the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected in a round-robin vote, describing it as unnecessary and questioning why it had been introduced.
Another committee member claimed the proposal was presented without prior consultation before being brought before the Executive Committee.
Despite the decision, CAF said discussions on improving Africa’s premier football competition will continue.
