Africa Cup of Nations to Expand to 24 Teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand to 24 teams starting from the 2019 tournament.

The decision was made at CAF's executive committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, July 20, 2017.

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said the expansion will give more African countries a chance to participate in the tournament and help to develop football on the continent.

"The expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams is a historic decision that will have a positive impact on African football," Ahmad said.

"It will give more countries the opportunity to participate in the tournament and help to develop football on the continent.

"We are confident that the expanded tournament will be a success and will help to raise the profile of African football on the world stage."

The expansion of the AFCON is the latest in a series of changes to the tournament in recent years.

In 2013, CAF decided to move the tournament from January to June/July to avoid clashes with the European club season.

In 2015, CAF increased the number of teams in the tournament from 16 to 24.

The 2019 AFCON will be the first tournament to be played with 24 teams.

The tournament will be hosted by Cameroon from June 15 to July 13, 2019.

The 24 teams that will participate in the tournament will be determined through a qualification process that will begin in March 2018.

The top two teams from each of the 12 qualification groups will qualify for the tournament.

The four best third-placed teams will also qualify for the tournament.