The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its plan to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, confirming that the tournament will return to its traditional two-year cycle. CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the decision after the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.
The CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) unanimously approved the return to a biennial format. The decision marks a shift from CAF’s earlier proposal to hold AFCON every four years and introduce a new Africa Nations League as a biennial competition. CAF said the proposed Nations League would take several years to generate the financial resources and football development benefits needed to strengthen the continent’s competitions and make them financially sustainable.
Explaining the decision in a statement published on CAF’s website, Motsepe said the committee’s priority was to protect the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players playing for clubs outside the continent.
“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,” he said.
Motsepe added that CAF was concerned about the time required for the proposed Africa Nations League to deliver the financial and developmental benefits originally expected.
Under the revised calendar, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.
The subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033. CAF said the competition would not be held in the same year as the FIFA World Cup.
Motsepe expressed confidence in the three East African countries’ preparations for the 2027 tournament, describing it as an opportunity to showcase African football.
He also said the revised schedule takes the 2030 FIFA World Cup into consideration, noting that continental national team competitions should not hold their final tournaments during a World Cup year.
Beyond football and financial considerations, the CAF president described AFCON as an important cultural event that brings Africans together and celebrates the continent’s diversity.
