The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to switch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, opting to retain the biennial format. CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the reversal following an Executive Committee meeting, citing the need to advance, protect, and promote African football interests. The decision ensures AFCON remains the continent's flagship football competition and a significant revenue source for African football.
CAF's financial statements reveal the importance of AFCON as a revenue generator. In the 2023-2024 financial year, CAF reported $166.4 million in total revenue, with competition income reaching $148.6 million, driven largely by the 2023 AFCON hosted by Côte d'Ivoire. The tournament's prize money accounted for $81 million, while tournament organization and football development attracted $19 million and $35 million, respectively.
The 2027 AFCON tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time East Africa has hosted AFCON in over five decades. CAF conducted an inspection of facilities across the three host countries in September 2026, assessing stadiums, training facilities, hotels, and airports. The inspection highlighted concerns about some stadiums' readiness, prompting Motsepe to call for a heightened sense of urgency.
Morocco's hosting of AFCON 2025 provides a useful benchmark for the economic impact of the tournament. The event generated an estimated 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and a multiplier effect of 1.8 to two times on revenues and investments. The tournament also accelerated infrastructure and transport development, delivering what officials described as "about ten years of development in just 24 months".
A systematic review of 16 empirical studies examining AFCON 2027's potential impact in Tanzania identified opportunities for short-term employment, increased income for local businesses, and higher tourist arrivals. However, the studies also highlighted challenges, including unequal distribution of economic benefits and limited human-resource capacity in some host cities.
The decision to retain the biennial format keeps the debate over player workload alive, with more frequent international tournaments affecting player release arrangements, recovery periods, and domestic club schedules. The scheduling friction with European club seasons persists, forcing CAF to host the continental showpiece during the middle of European domestic campaigns.
The proposed African Nations League, intended to launch in 2029, will still proceed, but its role alongside the biennial AFCON remains unclear. CAF's statement indicated the league would take "several years" to become financially viable, postponing the risk of removing AFCON as a regular income source while leaving the African Nations League's future role to be worked out.
Key points
- CAF reinstates biennial AFCON format due to financial stability concerns.
- 2027 AFCON to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- African Nations League to proceed, but its role alongside AFCON remains unclear.
