CAF Reveals AFCON Growth to 28 Teams Along with Reforms to Avoid 2026 Controversy

The unexpected reveal of the tournament's growth came during a media briefing after the executive committee gathering, with Motsepe noting it shows his group's dedication to high quality football bringing top African talents from everywhere back to play on the continent.

However he offered no details on how the setup will handle the added four teams or the start date for the change.

The previous four editions of the Cup of Nations have each included 24 entrants, a rise from 16 back in 2019.

Motsepe confirmed the 2027 event will proceed on schedule across Kenya Tanzania and Uganda.

A further Cup of Nations is set for 2028 after which the major continental competition will occur every four years.

CAF plans to start an annual Nations League in 2029 including a 16 team finals phase every two years Motsepe explained.

We need to end the pattern of African games lacking reliability consistency and dependability. It is vital to advance football in East Africa a zone brimming with promise Motsepe remarked.

He further disclosed updates to rules which he claimed will build greater faith in referees VAR staff and decision making panels though he skipped over specifics.

The body overseeing African football has faced a severe trust deficit since its Appeal Board revoked Senegal's Cup of Nations crown in a verdict that drew broad ridicule.

Senegal was judged to have given up the Rabat final on 18 January when they left the field to protest a key penalty call in favour of Morocco. They rejoined the match scored in added time and clinched a 1 0 success. The outcome faces review at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a potential reversal restoring Senegal's win would hit CAF's standing even harder.

CAF has sought detailed guidance from elite African and global football legal specialists and authorities to confirm that our rules and guidelines follow and apply leading international standards for the sport both during matches and beyond Motsepe stated in a Sunday release.

This matters greatly for upholding the dignity honesty and reliability of African officials VAR handlers and the CAF Disciplinary and Appeal committees.

CAF collaborates with FIFA on continuous development for African officials VAR teams and game officials aiming to match the world's top performers plus over the last five years CAF has advanced notably in areas like administration morals openness and leadership standards the CAF leader continued.

More exact information on the reforms and their role in dodging another Cup of Nations final dispute was absent from Motsepe's comments who recently conceded his group grapples with views on its uprightness.