Motsepe Reaffirms East Africa 2027 and Signals Major AFCON Expansion
The recent CAF Executive Committee meeting, held on February 13, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, served as a decisive moment for the future of African football. President Dr. Patrice Motsepe utilized the platform to address several critical issues that have dominated the headlines, particularly regarding tournament schedules and the integrity of the game.
Clarification on AFCON 2027 and Beyond
The committee addressed persistent rumors regarding the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. President Motsepe firmly dismissed any claims that the tournament would be postponed to 2028 or moved to a different location due to infrastructure concerns. He reinforced CAF’s total confidence in the “Pamoja” bid, confirming that Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda remain the official hosts and are making satisfactory progress toward their deadlines.
Furthermore, a major shift in the tournament’s structure is on the horizon. The Executive Committee confirmed it is currently evaluating a proposal to expand the AFCON field from 24 to 28 teams. This change is intended to take effect after the 2028 edition, coinciding with the shift to a four-year tournament cycle designed to elevate the competition’s commercial value and prestige on the global stage.
Strengthening Discipline and Officiating
In response to recent incidents of misconduct, most notably during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, the committee initiated a comprehensive overhaul of its judicial and disciplinary codes. The goal is to introduce much stiffer, “deterrent” sanctions for offenses such as pitch invasions, referee harassment, and teams staged walk-offs. To support this push for higher standards, the EXCO also discussed a significant increase in the daily allowances for referees and VAR operators, aiming to ensure that the continent’s best officials are properly compensated and less susceptible to external pressures.
Future Competitions and Administrative Oversight
The roadmap for women’s football remains a priority, with Morocco confirmed as the host for the 2026 Women’s AFCON (WAFCON). The committee reviewed the upcoming qualification schedules and logistics for the event. Simultaneously, CAF is refining the operational details of the African Nations League, a new initiative meant to provide consistent, high-level competition for senior national teams in the years between major tournaments.
Despite reports of internal friction concerning the leadership of the Secretary-General and general administrative transparency, Dr. Motsepe maintained that all governance issues are being resolved in strict accordance with CAF statutes. He emphasized that the organization remains unified in its mission to professionalize African football management.
