The African Handball Confederation announced on Monday the introduction of a dedicated qualifying tournament for men's national teams starting in 2028. This decision was finalized during the continental body's council meeting held in Luanda, Angola. The new tournament will feature four teams, including the host nation, the reigning African champion, and the two top-ranked teams from the African Cup of Nations. As a result, the African Cup of Nations will no longer provide direct qualification to the Olympic Games from 2028 onwards. Instead, the continental championship will serve as a qualifier for the World Championship, while the new separate event will serve as the exclusive pathway to the Olympic Games.