The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially reversed its decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, instead returning to the traditional biennial schedule. This decision was made unanimously by the CAF Executive Committee on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The change was necessitated by the need for the proposed Africa Nations League to generate substantial financial resources, which would take several years.
The next AFCON tournaments are now scheduled for 2027, 2028, 2031, and 2033. The 2027 edition is set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This decision reverses CAF's earlier plan to move to a four-year cycle after the 2028 tournament, with the next edition originally expected in 2032. CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated that the reversal was necessary to protect the interests of African football and CAF's 54 member associations.
According to Motsepe, the proposed Africa Nations League, expected to begin in 2029, would take several years to generate the substantial financial resources needed to support African football. The Africa Nations League was intended to replace the biennial AFCON as a major tournament held every two years. However, CAF has decided to retain the existing format, which has been in place since 1968.
The decision to revert to the biennial schedule is intended to contribute to the development and growth of football across Africa. Motsepe expressed confidence that the 2027 tournament would be successful and emphasized the tournament's wider significance as a celebration of African football, cultures, and traditions. The AFCON brings together people from the continent, the diaspora, and around the world.
The change in schedule is also expected to align African international football more closely with the global calendar and reduce clashes between national-team competitions and club football, particularly in Europe. However, CAF has decided that the benefits of the biennial schedule outweigh the potential advantages of a four-year cycle.
In December 2025, CAF announced plans to move AFCON to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition. However, the governing body has now decided to retain the existing format. The 2027 AFCON Qualifiers are set to take place, with Matchday 1 and 2 scheduled to kick off on dates to be announced.
The CAF President emphasized that the decision is in the best interest of African football and CAF's 54 member associations. The governing body is confident that the revised schedule will contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.
Key points
- CAF has scrapped its plan to move the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle.
- The next AFCON tournaments are scheduled for 2027, 2028, 2031, and 2033.
- The decision was made to protect the interests of African football and CAF's 54 member associations.
