CAF Executive Committee Rejects Proposed 28-Team AFCON Expansion

CAF Executive Committee Rejects Proposed 28-Team AFCON Expansion

Sampson Adedeji

The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected a proposal to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a 28-team tournament beginning from the 2028 edition, BSNSports.com.ng reports 

According to a report by The Guardian, a CAF Executive Committee member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the proposal was overwhelmingly voted down during deliberations.

"We took a round-robin vote and the proposal was soundly rejected. It was a very bad idea. I do not know why Motsepe proposed it in the first place. There is absolutely no reason for it," the official said.

The rejection means the AFCON is expected to retain its current 24-team format, which was introduced for the 2019 tournament in Egypt.

Despite the decision, CAF maintained that discussions on improving its flagship competition remain ongoing.

In a statement, the continental football governing body said:

"For the last two years or so, CAF leadership has been discussing both in person and through written communication the implementation of the vision of making CAF competitions, in particular, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, world-class.

"The debate and discussion is not limited to one aspect. 

The conversation on the CAF Africa Cup of Nations format is an ongoing discussion within CAF."

The proposed expansion had sparked debate across African football, with supporters arguing it would provide more nations with an opportunity to compete at the continent's biggest football tournament, while critics warned it could dilute the quality of the competition.