The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, restoring the competition’s traditional two-year cycle.
CAF’s Executive Committee (EXCO) unanimously approved the change on Thursday, October 29, ending months of uncertainty over the future schedule of Africa’s flagship national team competition.
The decision follows an announcement by CAF president Patrice Motsepe at the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde earlier in October that the governing body would reconsider its previous decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle.
CAF had announced the proposed change in December 2025, with plans for the tournament to take place in 2027 and 2028 before moving to a four-year schedule. The restructuring was linked to plans to introduce a new Africa Nations League competition.
Africa Nations League plans influence reversal
In its latest announcement, CAF explained that the proposed Africa Nations League would require several years to generate the financial resources needed to support African football and make its competitions globally competitive and financially sustainable.
The governing body said the reversal was intended to protect the interests of its 54 member associations and African players employed by clubs outside the continent.
Motsepe said the decision was based on advancing and promoting African football while ensuring the continent’s national team competitions continue to contribute to the development of the game.
“The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations,” Motsepe said.
2027 edition remains on course
The next AFCON will be held in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda serving as co-hosts.
CAF has also outlined the subsequent editions for 2028, 2031 and 2033. The gap between the 2028 and 2031 tournaments reflects CAF’s position that continental national team finals should not be staged in the same year as the FIFA World Cup, with the next global tournament scheduled for 2030.
Motsepe expressed confidence that the East African tournament would be successful, describing AFCON as an important platform for celebrating the continent’s football, cultures and traditions.
The reversal restores the biennial format that has defined the competition for decades, after CAF’s proposed move to a four-year schedule generated debate over its financial and sporting implications for African football.
