Africa Cup of Nations 2027 expands to 28 teams, new format to be implemented
via Algérie3604 min read
The Confederation of African Football CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2027 to 28 teams, up from 24 in the previous edition. This decision was made in Johannesburg, exactly one year before the tournament is set to kick off on June 19, 2027, in co-host nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The qualification rounds are scheduled to begin in September, though the precise rules for allocating spots have not yet been released by CAF. It is anticipated that the top two teams from each qualification group will advance, along with the four best third-placed teams. The three host countries, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will automatically qualify. For the final tournament, a format of seven groups of four teams is expected, which would alter the knockout stage qualification. Instead of four best third-placed teams advancing, only the two best third-placed teams would proceed, alongside the top two from each group. This expansion comes amid logistical challenges for the host nations, with reports in February from The Guardian suggesting a potential postponement due to uncertainties in preparation, particularly in Kenya, which faces general elections in August 2027. Despite these concerns, Motsepe affirmed the tournament would proceed as planned. The Algerian team, the Fennecs, has been drawn into Group I for the qualifiers, facing Zambia, Togo, and Burundi, with their campaign starting on September 21 against Zambia.
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Aïssa Mandi, the most capped defender for the Algerian national team, has officially announced his retirement from international football after 13 years, 123 selections, and eight goals. The 34-year-old made the announcement in a video on his social media. Mandi's last appearance was on July 3, during a 0-2 loss to Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. He holds the record for most selections for Algeria and was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Mandi expressed pride in his career, stating he leaves "with a clear conscience, feeling of duty accomplished." He also conveyed a message to the new generation, emphasizing the values of respect, hard work, and solidarity. His retirement follows that of Riyad Mahrez, who also announced his international retirement after the same match against Switzerland, marking a period of transition for the Algerian national team. Mandi's club career continues, having recently signed a two-season contract with Levante UD in Spain's second division, after playing for clubs like Reims, Real Betis, Villarreal, and LOSC Lille.
Vittorio Pisani, Italy's Director General of Public Security, visited Algiers and met with his Algerian counterpart, Ali Badaoui, at the Directorate General of National Security DGSN headquarters. Their discussions led to the signing of a technical cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening the security partnership between Algeria and Italy. The agreement focuses on optimizing bilateral operational coordination to address evolving security threats, particularly transnational organized crime, cybercrime, and irregular migration, which are considered major threats across the Mediterranean. The protocol also includes provisions for intensifying training programs and exchanges of expertise between the two police forces, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable cooperation and skill development. This agreement follows a broader initiative, with Algerian President Tebboune and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni having previously affirmed their commitment to enhanced coordination in combating irregular immigration and cross-border crime during a summit in Algiers in March. Pisani is also scheduled to attend the 64th anniversary celebrations of the Algerian National Security as a guest of honor, symbolizing the strong relationship between the two institutions. This visit is part of a series of international security collaborations by the DGSN, which has also engaged with German and South Korean police forces recently.
Four men have been detained in Constantine, Algeria, and charged with intentionally setting forest fires. The public prosecutor of Sidi M'hamed released a statement detailing three separate cases related to a wave of criminal fires that affected several provinces last weekend. The charges include acts of terrorism and intentional destruction of state forests, offenses punishable by the death penalty. In the first case, two individuals, "B.S.A" and "F.A," were accused of intentionally burning brush near the Sanaoubar neighborhood in Constantine, with video evidence showing them starting the fire. The second case involves "L.F," who was filmed setting fire to shrubs and trees along the Soummam road in Constantine. The third case concerns "B.S," who was caught burning two piles of copper cables against a highway wall, destroying two hectares of state forest. Following investigations by the Constantine wilaya security criminal brigade and the National Gendarmerie's research and investigation service, the four suspects were presented to an investigating magistrate and placed in provisional detention. They are accused of being part of an organized criminal network that committed terrorist and subversive acts endangering lives, security, and property, under articles 87 bis and 87 bis 1 of the penal code, as well as intentional burning of state forests under article 138 of the law on forests and forest resources. These arrests occur amid a national context of heightened fire activity