The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to its traditional two-year cycle, scrapping an earlier proposal to transition the flagship continental tournament into a quadrennial event.
The decision was unanimously agreed upon by the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) following recommendations and reviews regarding the sporting, cultural, and financial viability of the competition across its 54 member associations.
Under the previous proposal, CAF had envisioned shifting AFCON to a four-year cycle while introducing a proposed African Nations League to fill the biennial gap. However, administrative reviews concluded that a new Nations League would require significant time to become financially sustainable and generate the required revenue needed to support football development across the continent.
Addressing the reversal, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe emphasized that maintaining AFCON as a biennial spectacle serves the overarching commercial and sporting interests of African football.
”The CAF EXCO decision is in the best interest of African football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations, and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa,” Motsepe stated. “The AFCON competition is also about celebrating African football and Africa’s rich and diverse cultures, customs, and traditions, bringing people together across the continent and beyond.”
With the restoration of the two-year cycle, the upcoming tournament landscape is now locked in. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host the 2027 edition, with subsequent tournaments scheduled for 2028, 2031, and 2033. CAF affirmed that no tournament will take place in 2030, maintaining its established policy to avoid holding continental championships in FIFA World Cup host years.
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