CAF scraps four-year AFCON cycle plan, restores biennial format

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee (EXCO) has unanimously decided to revert to the traditional two-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reversing its previous decision to stage the continental showpiece every four years.

The decision was announced following a CAF EXCO meeting, with the continental football governing body confirming that the tournament will once again be held every two years to safeguard the interests and development of African football.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe had earlier indicated at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026, that the Executive Committee would reassess the decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle.

The review followed concerns over the proposed Africa Nations League, which was initially expected to replace the existing AFCON format as a biennial pan-African competition.

However, CAF acknowledged that the new competition would require several years before generating the substantial financial resources needed to support the development of African football and make its competitions globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.

The governing body subsequently concluded that retaining the traditional AFCON format was the best option for protecting the interests of its 54 member associations, African players and other stakeholders in the game.

Explaining the decision, Motsepe stressed that the move was driven by the need to advance and promote African football while ensuring that the continent’s flagship national team competition continues to make significant contributions to the growth of the sport.

He also highlighted the importance of considering African players employed by clubs outside the continent, alongside the financial and developmental implications of changing the competition’s schedule.

“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 stated.

The CAF president further expressed confidence in the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

According to the revised calendar, the next edition will take place in 2027, followed by tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.

The adjustment takes into consideration the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with CAF maintaining that its flagship continental competition, like other confederation national team tournaments, will not hold its final tournament during a World Cup year in line with FIFA’s established tradition.

Motsepe also emphasised that AFCON represents more than a football competition, describing it as an important platform for celebrating Africa’s diverse cultures, traditions and identity while bringing together people from the continent’s 54 countries, the African diaspora and the wider world.

He believes the decision to restore the two-year cycle will provide greater stability for African football, strengthen the financial position of member associations and contribute significantly to the continued growth and development of the game across the continent.