Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), announced ambitious plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent's premier football tournament, to include 28 teams in the future. This announcement, made during a press conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has sparked a wide-ranging debate about the future of the tournament and the potential impact of this change on the landscape of African football.
Historical background and development of the tournament
This wasn't the first time the Africa Cup of Nations had undergone a structural change. Since its inception in 1957 with just three participating teams, the tournament has seen several expansions reflecting the growth of the game on the continent. After remaining at eight teams for a long period, the number was increased to 12 in the 1992 edition, then to 16 in 1996, a system that remained in place for over two decades. The 2019 edition in Egypt witnessed the biggest leap, with the number increasing to 24 teams, the current format. This new proposal to expand to 28 teams is the next step in the tournament's evolution, keeping pace with the global trend of expanding continental and international competitions like the World Cup and the European Championship.
The importance and expected effects of expansion
The decision to increase the number of participating teams to 28, if approved, has multiple dimensions. From a sporting perspective, this expansion would offer a historic opportunity for more of CAF's 54 member associations to participate in the finals. This would stimulate football development in countries that previously struggled to qualify and enhance competition at the continental level. Economically, the expansion is expected to increase CAF's revenue through television broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals, allowing for greater investment in the development of the game across the continent. However, significant logistical challenges also arise. Organizing a tournament of this scale will require sophisticated infrastructure, including stadiums, hotels, and training facilities, which may limit the capacity of only a few countries to host it alone and could encourage joint bids. Furthermore, some raise concerns that the overall technical level of the tournament might decline in the early stages due to the participation of less experienced teams.
Changing the tournament schedule and other issues
Alongside the expansion proposal, Motsepe confirmed another controversial decision: changing the tournament's frequency from biennial to quadrennial, starting with the 2028 edition. This change, departing from the tradition in place since 1968, aims to ease pressure on the international match calendar and give players ample rest, but it could diminish the tournament's momentum and frequency on the global stage. In a related matter, Motsepe denied rumors that Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda would be stripped of hosting rights for the 2027 edition, expressing his confidence in the East African nations' ability to deliver a successful tournament. The CAF president also addressed the unacceptable incidents that marred some recent final matches, emphasizing the federation's intention to amend its disciplinary regulations to impose stricter penalties that safeguard the integrity and reputation of African football on the world stage.
