The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its plan to organise the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, confirming that the continental tournament will return to its traditional two-year cycle.
The CAF Executive Committee unanimously approved the decision, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the development following the organisation’s Strategy Conference held in Cabo Verde from October 7 to 9, 2026.
The reversal comes after CAF reassessed its earlier proposal to move AFCON to a four-year schedule while introducing a new Africa Nations League to be played every two years.
According to the continental football governing body, the proposed Nations League would require several years to generate the substantial financial resources needed to support football development across Africa and make its competitions globally competitive and financially sustainable.
In a statement published on CAF’s official website on Friday, Motsepe explained that the decision was guided by the need to protect the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players employed by clubs outside the continent.
He said, “The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa.”
The CAF president added that the organisation was concerned about the time required for the proposed Africa Nations League to deliver the financial and developmental benefits initially envisaged.
He explained that the new competition was expected to mirror the existing AFCON format and take place every two years, but would take several years to make the required financial contributions to African football.
Under the revised calendar, the next Africa Cup of Nations will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the competition.
Subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033, while CAF has maintained that the tournament will not be staged in the same year as the FIFA World Cup.
Motsepe expressed confidence in the three East African countries’ ability to successfully organise the 2027 tournament, describing it as an important opportunity to showcase Africa’s footballing talent.
“The next TotalEnergies CAF AFCON will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and I am confident that it will be very successful,” he said.
He also explained that the revised scheduling arrangement takes into account the 2030 FIFA World Cup, noting that continental national team competitions should not hold their final tournaments during a World Cup year.
Beyond its sporting significance, Motsepe described AFCON as an important cultural event that brings together people from across the continent and the African diaspora.
He said the competition provides an opportunity to celebrate Africa’s diverse cultures, customs and traditions while strengthening connections among its 54 countries.
The CAF president maintained that restoring the two-year cycle would contribute significantly to the growth of football across the continent and strengthen the organisation’s member associations.
The decision marks a significant change in CAF’s competition calendar strategy, reaffirming AFCON’s position as Africa’s flagship national team tournament while placing the proposed Africa Nations League under a revised long-term plan.
