The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its earlier decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, confirming that the continental tournament will return to its traditional biennial format.
Key Highlights
- CAF scraps plan to stage AFCON every four years, restores two-year cycle.
- Proposed African Nations League would need years to become financially self-sufficient.
- Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to co-host AFCON 2027.
- Further editions set for 2028, 2031 and 2033; 2030 skipped for the World Cup.
- Morocco awarded 2025 AFCON title after Senegal were stripped.
The reversal follows a review of the proposed changes announced in December, which would have seen AFCON organised once every four years, with a new African Nations League introduced as a replacement for the competition’s two-year schedule.
CAF said the African Nations League would require several years to generate enough revenue to operate independently, prompting the governing body to reconsider its plans.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the decision to restore the two-year cycle is aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players featuring for clubs outside the continent.
Scheduling Challenges
The biennial format has, however, presented scheduling challenges, particularly because recent editions have largely been staged during the European club football season.
The expansion of FIFA’s Club World Cup to 32 teams, with the competition held in June and July last year, also influenced CAF’s scheduling decisions.
Read also:
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- NFF Hails Samson Adamu Over Confirmation as CAF General Secretary
- Guinea-Bissau Beat Nigeria 3-0 in AFCON 2027 Qualifier
Upcoming AFCON Editions
Under the revised arrangement, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.
Further editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033, while the 2030 edition will be skipped because of the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the 2025 AFCON final remains a major talking point after Senegal, initially declared champions, were stripped of the title three months later, with Morocco subsequently awarded the championship.
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