The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will return to its previous format of taking place every two years. This decision was made by the Caf executive committee (Exco) and is aimed at advancing, protecting, and promoting the interest of African football. Caf president Patrice Motsepe explained that the decision was made to reassess and reconsider the previous year's decision to hold the tournament every four years.
According to Motsepe, the reassessment was necessitated by the realisation that the proposed new Africa Nations League Pan-African competition would require several years to be in position. The new competition was supposed to replace the current Afcon and take place every two years. The Caf Exco's decision is expected to contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa. The decision was made with the interest of African players employed by football clubs outside Africa also in mind.
The next Afcon will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Motsepe expressed confidence that it will be very successful. The subsequent Afcon tournaments will take place in 2028, 2031, and 2033. This scheduling ensures that the Afcon will not conflict with the Fifa World Cup, which is set to take place in 2030. Fifa tradition dictates that national team competitions should not take place during the year of the World Cup.
The Afcon competition is not only about football but also about celebrating African culture, customs, and traditions. The tournament brings people together from Africa's 54 countries, the African diaspora, and throughout the world. The Caf Exco's decision is seen as being in the best interest of African football and Caf's 54 member associations.
Motsepe emphasized that the decision to return the Afcon to a two-year cycle is in line with the goal of making African football and Caf competitions globally competitive and self-supporting. The Caf Exco's decision is expected to have a positive impact on the development and growth of football in Africa. The Afcon is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in Africa.
The decision to return the Afcon to a two-year cycle is seen as a significant move for African football. The tournament has a rich history and is a major event in the African football calendar. Caf's 54 member associations are expected to benefit from the decision. The Afcon is a platform for African players to showcase their skills.
The Caf Exco's decision marks a new chapter in the history of the Afcon. The tournament will continue to be a celebration of African football and culture. The decision is expected to have a lasting impact on the development of football in Africa. African football fans can look forward to the next Afcon in 2027.
Key points
- The Caf executive committee has unanimously decided to return the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle.
- The next Afcon will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- The decision is expected to contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.
