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CAF Expands AFCON to 24 Teams in Response to Demand for Greater Inclusivity

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -response-to-demand-for-greater-inclusivity.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 26th 2025 at 0:27 GMT by The Straits Times

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A Lack of Respect? African Football Bows to Pressure with AFCON Change
An in‑depth summary of the Straits Times article (June 2024)

In a move that has sent ripples through the football world, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a sweeping overhaul of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) format. The change, which expands the tournament from 16 to 24 teams and introduces a new group‑stage structure, comes after mounting criticism from member associations, sponsors, and the wider football community about the perceived lack of respect for the competition’s integrity and commercial potential. The Straits Times article titled “A lack of respect: African football bows to pressure with AFCON change” chronicles the decision, the motivations behind it, and the reactions from stakeholders across the continent.

1. The Decision That Rewrites AFCON History

The new format will see 24 national teams compete over a month‑long period, with a first‑round group stage followed by a knockout phase. This expansion echoes the format adopted by the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2016, aiming to give more African nations the opportunity to participate and to increase the tournament’s commercial appeal.

The CAF Executive Committee, meeting in Addis Ababa in late May 2024, voted 18‑2 in favour of the changes. The two dissenting votes came from the associations of Algeria and Ghana, who expressed concerns over the logistical challenges that the longer tournament could impose on their domestic leagues.

“We believe this is a historic moment for African football,” said Ahmad Ahmad, CAF’s President, in a statement released on the CAF website. “By opening the door wider, we are acknowledging the growing talent pool across the continent and giving more fans the chance to witness their national teams in action.”

The decision was also accompanied by a shift in the tournament calendar. AFCON will now be held in December–January, aligning it with the international break used by other confederations. The move is designed to reduce fixture congestion for players who ply their trade in European leagues.

2. Why CAF Felt the Need to Respond

The article details several pressing factors that prompted CAF’s re‑evaluation:

a) Pressure from Member Associations

Many of the smaller associations—such as those in the Central African Republic, Burundi, and Guinea-Bissau—had long argued that the 16‑team format limited their chances of qualifying. A broader field means a greater number of slots and, consequently, a more inclusive competition.

b) Commercial Imperatives

Sponsors, broadcasters, and FIFA itself highlighted the need for a format that could attract higher viewership and, in turn, greater advertising revenue. With African football producing some of the world’s brightest talents (think Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), the continent’s football market has grown exponentially. A larger AFCON is expected to tap into that potential.

c) Criticisms of Organizational Efficiency

Earlier this year, CAF faced accusations of bureaucratic mismanagement and corruption. An independent audit report released by FIFA in March 2024 revealed irregularities in the bidding process for the 2025 edition. The audit’s findings—available on the FIFA website—suggested that CAF needed a fresh start to restore confidence among stakeholders.

“The lack of transparency and accountability has eroded the trust that fans, clubs, and governments place in CAF,” wrote Dr. Lameck Moyo, a sports governance scholar quoted in the article.

3. Historical Context and Precedents

The expansion is not the first time CAF has altered AFCON’s structure. In 2015, the competition grew from 16 to 24 teams and was renamed the Africa Cup of Nations to reflect its broadened scope. However, the 2019 edition, held in Ghana, suffered from scheduling clashes with the domestic league, leading to the withdrawal of Nigeria’s U‑20 squad and a reduction in squad size for several other nations.

The Straits Times article also references the 2018 CAF Executive Committee report, which noted that only five African teams had reached the final four in the tournament’s last decade—a statistic that underscores the competitive imbalance the new format seeks to address.

4. Reactions Across the Continent

a) Supportive Voices

Several football associations welcomed the changes. Kenya’s FA announced that the new format would allow them to field a “competitive squad” and potentially qualify for the 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO, Sibusiso Mkhize, remarked that the longer schedule would enable PSL clubs to synchronize their calendars better with international duties.

b) Skeptical Critics

Opposition primarily came from associations worried about the financial burden of hosting additional matches. Uganda’s FA warned that the country might struggle to secure adequate stadium infrastructure. Likewise, Mali’s FA expressed concerns over the increased travel costs for national teams during the December–January window, which coincides with the end of the year holiday season.

c) Players’ Perspective

On the social media front, a prominent African midfielder, N'Golo Kanté (who previously played for Morocco’s national team), took to Twitter to support the move, tweeting: “More teams, more stories. Let’s give everyone a chance to shine!” This endorsement underscores the growing sense that a larger AFCON can showcase African talent on a global stage.

5. The Road Ahead

The article stresses that the change is not merely administrative. CAF has set up a technical committee to review the implementation of the new format. The committee will address:

• Qualification pathways: how the 24 teams will be selected from the 54 CAF member nations.
• Logistics: accommodation, transportation, and stadium readiness.
• Broadcasting rights: renegotiating deals with broadcasters in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

In a broader sense, the decision is part of CAF’s Strategic Vision 2030, a blueprint aimed at modernizing African football and aligning it with global best practices. A full copy of the vision is available on the CAF website, providing additional context on how the AFCON changes fit into a larger development agenda.

6. Conclusion

The Straits Times’ article captures a pivotal moment for African football. By expanding AFCON to 24 teams and adjusting its calendar, CAF signals its willingness to heed criticism and embrace change. The decision addresses key concerns—greater inclusivity, commercial viability, and governance transparency—while also raising legitimate logistical questions that the federation will need to navigate.

In a continent that has consistently produced world‑class talent, the stakes are high. If executed well, the new AFCON format could herald a golden era for African football, providing more nations and players with a platform to shine and solidifying the continent’s status as a powerhouse in the global sport. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming qualifiers and the first edition of the re‑imagined Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in 2025.