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. This decision was announced on Thursday, October 29, following a unanimous resolution by the CAF Executive Committee. The move ends months of uncertainty over the tournament's future schedule. CAF had previously announced plans to change the AFCON schedule.
In December 2025, CAF announced that AFCON would move to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition. The proposed Africa Nations League was expected to provide an alternative platform for continental competition. However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the governing body had reconsidered the plan. The Nations League would take several years to generate sufficient revenue to support African football and its competitions.
The decision to retain the biennial AFCON was guided by the need to protect the interests of African football, the confederation's 54 member associations, and African players employed by clubs outside the continent. Motsepe emphasised that the decision was based on advancing, protecting, and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF's 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa.
The proposed Africa Nations League was intended to reshape the continent's international football calendar. However, CAF concluded that it would not generate the financial resources required to support the game in the immediate future. As a result, the organisation decided to maintain the existing schedule for AFCON. This decision ensures that African national teams will continue to have a major continental championship every two years.
The next edition of AFCON will take place in 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Subsequent tournaments are scheduled for 2028, 2031, and 2033 under the revised schedule. This development provides clarity on the future of the competition, which is a significant event in the African football calendar.
The decision marks a significant change in CAF's competition strategy. The organisation seeks to balance the commercial development of African football with the interests of national associations, players, and supporters. By maintaining the two-year cycle, CAF aims to ensure that AFCON continues to be a premier event in African football.
The reversal of the decision to move to a four-year cycle is seen as a positive development for African football. The biennial tournament provides a platform for national teams to compete and gain international experience. The decision also takes into account the interests of African players employed by clubs outside the continent, who will continue to have opportunities to participate in a major continental competition.
Key points
- CAF restores AFCON to its traditional 2-year cycle.
- The decision was guided by the need to protect the interests of African football and its stakeholders.
- The next edition of AFCON will take place in 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
