The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is still finalising plans for the 2028 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), with key questions remaining over both the tournament’s timing and the schedule for its qualifiers.
The confederation is navigating a transition to a new four-year competition cycle, and fitting AFCON into an increasingly crowded international calendar has proven challenging.
Sources indicate that CAF has not yet confirmed official dates for the 2028 AFCON or its qualifying rounds.
Reports suggest that the matter will be discussed at upcoming executive meetings as CAF works to reshape its long-term competition calendar.
The uncertainty follows CAF’s December 2025 announcement that AFCON would move from a biennial to a quadrennial schedule, beginning with the 2028 edition.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe made the declaration in Rabat, framing the change as an effort to align African football more closely with global competitions and reduce scheduling conflicts.
Under the current plan, AFCON 2027 will proceed as scheduled in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, before the new four-year cycle takes effect in 2028.
Complicating the calendar further is the planned launch of an African Nations League in 2029, increasing the need for careful coordination of continental tournaments.
Determining the optimal dates for AFCON 2028 has proven difficult. A January slot would place the tournament just months after the summer-scheduled 2027 edition, while a summer window would clash with UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympics.
Delays into late 2028 or even 2029 could introduce conflicts with other events, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, highlighting the complex balancing act CAF faces in restructuring its competitions.
CAF has yet to confirm a host for the 2028 tournament, though interest is already emerging. Notable contenders include a joint bid from Botswana and South Africa, which could mark the first southern African-hosted edition under the new format.
For now, CAF’s immediate focus is on finalizing the international calendar beyond 2027 and clarifying the practical implementation of the new four-year AFCON cycle.
Upcoming executive meetings are expected to decide whether the 2028 edition will retain its planned slot or be adjusted to fit the congested global football schedule.
