CAF dismisses reports of AFCON 2027 format change

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially refuted reports suggesting a potential alteration to the format of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe clarified during a press conference that the tournament will proceed with its established 24-team structure.

CAF stated on its X account that media reports indicating otherwise were inaccurate. The organization stressed that no decision has been made to change the number of participating national teams. The confirmation from CAF aims to put an end to speculation regarding the tournament's structure as African national teams prepare for the qualification campaign.

Dr. Motsepe confirmed that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will feature 24 national teams. The tournament is slated to be held in June and July of 2027. The qualification process for AFCON 2027 is scheduled to commence in September and October of 2026.

The 2027 AFCON tournament is set to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Preparations for the competition are ongoing in these host nations. CAF's decisive statement provides clarity on the tournament format, ensuring that teams and stakeholders can plan accordingly for the upcoming qualification rounds and the main event.

“

At Wednesday’s press conference, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 will have 24 National Teams. Media reports suggesting otherwise is untrue. The AFCON 2027 will be played in June-July 2027 and the Qualifiers will start in September/ October 2026.