The curtain has barely fallen on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, yet attention has already shifted to what comes next for Africa’s flagship football tournament.
Senegal’s dramatic triumph over the hosts in Rabat closed a memorable edition, staged in modern stadiums and played before packed crowds, but it also reignited debate around the competition’s calendar and long-term structure.
CAF’s recent decisions on scheduling and format mean the next editions of the Africa Cup of Nations will look markedly different from what fans have been accustomed to over the past two decades.
When will the next Africa Cup of Nations take place?
The next Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in 2027. Unlike the 2025 tournament, which followed the traditional two-year cycle, the 2027 edition will mark a transitional phase before CAF fully implements a new four-year rotation.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the tournament, initially planned for February 2027, has been pushed back to August of the same year.
The shift is designed to ease logistical pressures and allow host nations additional preparation time. It will also make AFCON 2027 only the second summer edition in the tournament’s history, following Egypt 2019.
Why is the AFCON calendar changing?
The Africa Cup of Nations has faced repeated disruption since 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic, climate considerations and infrastructure readiness all influencing scheduling decisions. The 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, played in early 2024, highlighted the growing difficulty of maintaining a rigid two-year cycle.
In response, CAF has opted to move AFCON to a four-year rhythm from 2028 onwards, alongside the introduction of the African Nations League. While the move has drawn criticism from sections of the football community, CAF argues it will improve planning, commercial value and overall tournament quality.
Where will AFCON 2027 be held?
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be historic in its hosting arrangement. For the first time, the tournament will be jointly organised by three countries: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
CAF officials have acknowledged that infrastructure development remains a work in progress across the three nations, a factor that influenced the decision to shift the tournament to August. The extra time is expected to allow for stadium upgrades, transport improvements and broader logistical readiness.
What format will AFCON 2027 follow?
AFCON 2027 will retain the expanded 24-team format introduced in 2019. Looking ahead, the host of the special 2028 edition has yet to be confirmed, with Egypt reportedly considering a bid, while South Africa and Botswana may submit a joint proposal.
