The change is due to come into effect from the 2019 edition of the tournament, the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) flagship competition for national teams.

It means the event in two years' time will be the first to feature 24 nations instead of the usual 16, while it will switch from its traditional January or February slot to June or July.

The proposals were made at a two-day symposium in Rabat.

The CAF rubber-stamped them at an Executtive Committee meeting in the Moroccan capital today.

A recommendation to possibly hold the event outside of Africa and include non-African nations was rejected.

The expansion, which sees the Cup of Nations mirror the UEFA European Championships in featuring 24 teams, may increase pressure on 2019 hosts Cameroon.

It had been claimed earlier this week that they were falling behind schedule in their preparations but Cameroon Sports Minister Ismael Bidoung insisted the tournament would take place as planned.

Morocco had indicated they would be willing to step in should Cameroon not be able to host the event.

"I would like to reassure national and international opinion that the Government is fully committed to fulfilling the CAF’s specifications and, to date, no CAF mission has reported any delay in preparations," said Bidoung.

The move to the summer is likely to appease top European clubs.

They have long complained of the impact holding the Cup of Nations at the turn of the year has on their players.

Players have to be released by their clubs to take part in the event, with some reluctant to let their star names travel to Africa to represent their country.

The build-up to last year's tournament, held in Gabon, was dominated by the ongoing club versus country row, with a number of players refusing call-ups to take part.

This included seven from Cameroon, who turned down the chance to play for the team still claimed their fifth Cup of Nations title.