The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering a further expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with plans underway to increase the number of participating teams from 24 to 28 in future editions.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the proposal during a press conference following the Executive Committee meeting, confirming that regulatory amendments and structural reforms are currently under discussion.

“We plan to increase the number of participants in the Africa Cup of Nations from 24 to 28 teams,” Motsepe said.

If approved, the expansion would mark another major shift for Africa’s flagship tournament, coming just eight years after CAF raised the number of finalists from 16 to 24 teams in 2019. Under the proposed reform, the 2027 edition could be the last to feature the current 24-team format before the new structure is introduced.

The proposal forms part of broader discussions within CAF aimed at modernising competition frameworks and strengthening inclusivity across the continent. However, it also arrives at a time when questions persist about infrastructure readiness and logistical coordination for the 2027 tournament in East Africa.

The Africa Cup of Nations has evolved significantly since its modest beginnings in 1957.

The inaugural tournament, staged in Sudan, featured just three teams — Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia — after South Africa was disqualified due to its apartheid policy. Egypt emerged as champions in what was effectively a triangular competition.

By 1962, the tournament expanded to four teams, introducing a structured semifinal and final format. A more substantial shift came in 1968 when AFCON grew to eight teams, allowing for a full group-stage format. This era coincided with the rapid growth of football across newly independent African nations.

In 1992, CAF doubled participation to 16 teams, reflecting the continent’s expanding competitive base and the growing global presence of African footballers. The 16-team structure endured for 25 years and produced some of AFCON’s most memorable moments.

A further expansion came in 2019, when Egypt hosted the first 24-team edition. The move broadened representation, enhanced commercial value and increased broadcasting reach, although it initially sparked debate over competitive balance.

Now, with a possible increase to 28 teams on the horizon, CAF appears poised to continue reshaping the tournament in line with the continent’s football growth and expanding membership.

Should the proposal be ratified, it would represent another landmark in AFCON’s evolution — from a three-team event in Khartoum to a nearly 30-nation continental championship with global visibility.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee on Friday is set to deliberate on crucial planning decisions for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when it meets on Friday in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with the tournament’s timing, qualification schedule and long-term calendar alignment high on the agenda.

CAF is yet to confirm official dates for both the AFCON 2028 qualifiers and the finals, as the continental body works through a complex transition to a new competition cycle.

The discussions come at a pivotal moment for African football, with administrators seeking to integrate the tournament into an already congested international calendar without overburdening players or clashing with major global events.

The uncertainty follows CAF’s December 2025 announcement that AFCON will move from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format starting with the 2028 edition.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said at the time that the change was designed to harmonise African competitions with the global football schedule and reduce recurring conflicts with club and international tournaments.

Under the existing framework, the 2027 AFCON will still be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, before the new four-year cycle takes effect the following year.

CAF officials face a difficult scheduling puzzle. A January 2028 tournament would come only months after the mid-year 2027 edition, while a summer slot risks overlapping with UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympic Games — two events that would stretch broadcasting, logistics and player availability.

Any attempt to move the competition later into 2028 or early 2029 could also create clashes with other international fixtures, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, making the Executive Committee’s deliberations particularly significant.

Further complicating the calendar is CAF’s plan to launch an African Nations League from 2029, a new competition that will require additional international windows and careful coordination with existing tournaments.

CAF has not yet named a host nation for AFCON 2028, although interest is intensifying. A joint southern African bid reportedly involving Botswana and South Africa is among the proposals expected to be considered as the process gathers momentum.

Friday’s Executive Committee meeting is therefore seen as a key step in defining the structure of African football’s new era. Decisions emerging from the session are expected to clarify whether AFCON 2028 will retain its projected timeframe or be adjusted to fit the crowded global schedule, while also providing guidance on how the four-year cycle will function in practice.

The outcome could shape the rhythm of African competitions for the next decade, as CAF attempts to balance tradition, commercial growth and the realities of the modern international football calendar.

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Legendary Czech footballer Antonín Panenka, who originated the famous ‘Panenka penalty’ has weighed in on Brahim Díaz’s missed penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, suggesting the Moroccan attacker may not have adequately prepared to execute the famous chipped effort that bears his name.

Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio Cadena SER, Panenka revealed the level of dedication required to master the delicate technique, stressing that it is far from an improvised move.

“It took me two years of daily training to be able to take a penalty in that way,” he said.

Panenka, who pioneered the audacious spot-kick, expressed doubt that Díaz had invested similar preparation before attempting it in such a high-pressure situation.

“I’m convinced Brahim didn’t train it enough. The idea came to him suddenly in that moment, and he tried it. I think that’s why he didn’t score,” he explained.

The Czech icon also dismissed suggestions that the chipped penalty is disrespectful to opponents, insisting his original intention was purely practical rather than theatrical.

“I don’t agree. At that moment, I thought it was the right way to score. In a European Championship final, you don’t think about mocking the opponent. My intention was never to ridicule anyone. I believed it was the best way to score,” he said.

Panenka etched his name into football history during the UEFA Euro 1976 Final when he famously dinked the decisive.

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