CAF Reverses Decision, Restores AFCON To Every Two Years

CAF Reverses Decision, Restores AFCON to Every Two Years

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its earlier decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, confirming that the continental football tournament will return to its traditional two-year cycle. CAF’s Executive Committee unanimously approved the reversal on Thursday, October 29, following a reassessment of its previous plan to restructure the competition calendar. CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, announced the development after the organisation’s strategy conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026. The decision restores the biennial format that has traditionally defined Africa’s biggest national team football competition. CAF explained that the reversal was partly influenced by concerns over the time required to establish the proposed Africa Nations League. The competition had been planned as a replacement for AFCON in the biennial calendar, following the decision to move the continental tournament to a four-year cycle. However, the governing body acknowledged that the proposed Nations League would require several years to generate the substantial financial resources needed to support African football development and make its competitions globally competitive and financially sustainable. Motsepe said the decision was guided by the need to protect the interests of African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players employed by football clubs outside the continent. Under the revised arrangement, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.

CAF also confirmed the following schedule.

• 2027: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
• 2028: Next edition after the 2027 tournament.
• 2031: Subsequent edition.
• 2033: Following edition.

There will be no AFCON tournament in 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for that year. CAF said the arrangement follows the tradition of avoiding clashes between major continental national team tournaments and the global football championship. Motsepe maintained that restoring the two-year cycle would help advance African football and strengthen the continent’s football development structures. He expressed confidence in the ability of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to successfully host the 2027 edition. The CAF president also described AFCON as more than a football competition, noting its importance in celebrating Africa’s diverse cultures, traditions and customs. He said the tournament brings together people from Africa’s 54 countries, the diaspora and communities across the world.The reversal marks a significant change in CAF’s competition calendar strategy after its December 2025 decision to introduce a four-year AFCON cycle. The return to the traditional arrangement is expected to preserve the tournament’s regular presence in international football while allowing CAF to reconsider its proposed Africa Nations League plans. The decision also provides greater clarity for national football associations, players, sponsors and supporters regarding the future scheduling of Africa’s premier national team competition.