The Confederation of African Football Executive Committee has adopted the proposal to expand the African Cup of Nations from 16 to 24 teams.
The premium continental tournament will also shift from January to June/July.
The decision will be implemented with immediate effect beginning the 2019 edition in Cameroon.
This implies that two teams from each of the 12 qualifying groups in the ongoing campaign, including the hosts, will sail through.
Sources at the CAF gathering in Rabat, Morocco indicate that the hosting rights for the 2019 showpiece could be taken away from Cameroon, who is deemed unready.
Egypt and Morocco have been floated as possible new hosts, according to one source.
