The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its previous decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year schedule, confirming that the continent’s flagship national-team tournament will continue to take place every two years.
CAF announced on October 29 that its Executive Committee had unanimously approved the return to the traditional biennial format.
The decision follows a reassessment of a plan announced in 2025 to hold AFCON every four years from 2028. CAF had considered introducing a new Africa Nations League competition to fill the gap between tournaments, but acknowledged that the proposed competition would need several years to generate the financial resources required to support African football.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the decision was intended to protect the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and players competing for clubs outside the continent.
AFCON 2027 remains on schedule
The next edition of the tournament is scheduled for 2027 and will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
CAF also announced that subsequent editions are planned for 2028, 2031 and 2033, with the schedule adjusted to avoid a clash with the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The reversal is an important development for African football, preserving one of the continent’s most established sporting traditions while giving national teams and supporters a more regular opportunity to compete for the continental title.
For millions of fans across Africa and around the world, AFCON remains more than a football tournament: it is a celebration of national identity, sporting pride and the continent’s diverse cultures.
Sources: CAF official announcement and Reuters.
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