CAF REVERSES FOUR-YEAR AFCON PLAN, RETURNS TO TWO-YEAR CYCLE

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scrapped its earlier plan to organise the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, restoring the competition’s traditional two-year schedule.

The decision was unanimously approved by CAF’s Executive Committee (EXCO), according to a statement issued by the football governing body.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe had earlier indicated at the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held between October 7 and 9, 2026, that the committee would reconsider the proposed change.

The reversal followed concerns over the financial implications of replacing the biennial AFCON with the proposed Africa Nations League, which could take several years to generate sufficient revenue to support CAF’s competitions and football development programmes.

Motsepe said the decision was reached in the interest of African football, the continent’s 54 football associations and African players representing clubs outside the continent.

He explained that although the proposed Africa Nations League was designed to deliver financial and developmental benefits similar to those of AFCON, it would require considerable time to become financially sustainable.

“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, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa,” Motsepe said.

Under the new arrangement, the next edition will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Subsequent tournaments are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033.

CAF explained that the competition would not hold in 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for the same year, in line with the decision to avoid clashes between its national team competitions and the global tournament.

Motsepe expressed confidence in the preparations for the 2027 edition, which will be hosted by the three East African countries.

He described AFCON as an important platform for showcasing Africa's cultural diversity and bringing together people from the continent's 54 countries, the African diaspora and other parts of the world.

The CAF president added that maintaining the tournament's two-year format would strengthen football development, increase revenue opportunities and provide greater financial support for member associations across Africa.