The Confederation of African Football has confirmed the launch of an African Nations League and announced wide-ranging reforms that will reshape senior national team football across the continent.
CAF stated on Monday that the new structure will guarantee a high-level senior international competition in Africa every year, featuring the continent’s best players from the world’s top leagues.
The governing body will work closely with FIFA to establish and deliver the African Nations League as part of a broader calendar realignment.
CAF clarified that World Cup years will follow a different format. During those seasons, the nine or ten African nations that qualify for the FIFA World Cup will focus solely on tournament preparation.
CAF will not stage any senior national team competitions in those years, allowing qualified teams to prepare without additional competitive demands.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe welcomed the reforms and underlined their ambition.
He said the changes would elevate African senior national team competitions to the highest global standards and ensure regular participation from elite African players competing in major international leagues.
The reforms will also transform the financial landscape of African football. CAF confirmed that the restructuring of senior competitions, combined with a $1 billion commercial tender, will allow the organisation to distribute $1 million annually to each of its 54 member associations.
This figure represents a five-fold increase from the $200,000 previously paid to each association before the current leadership took office.
CAF also committed to expanding investment in youth development. The organisation will direct significant financial and material resources toward the training of young male and female footballers, describing youth development as one of the most valuable long-term investments for the game on the continent.
The reforms will extend beyond senior internationals. Youth competitions for men and women, domestic club football across all 54 member associations, and zonal and regional tournaments will all receive increased financial and structural support.
CAF will also allocate resources to improve working conditions and ensure competitive salaries for its staff.
Motsepe also confirmed that CAF will increase prize money for its flagship club competitions. He said the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup will receive higher financial rewards, with details scheduled for release after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
CAF highlighted calendar alignment as another core objective. By working closely with FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF aims to synchronise international schedules and reduce conflicts between club and national team commitments.
The organisation wants African players to avoid the scheduling challenges that previously strained relationships between clubs and national teams.
Motsepe concluded by expressing confidence in the reforms, stating that discussions with sponsors, partners and stakeholders shaped the changes and that African football now stands on the threshold of a stronger and more sustainable future.
