CAF agree to restore AFCON to every two years after major U-turn

CAF agree to restore AFCON to every two years after major U-turn The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to its traditional two-year cycle after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee unanimously approved the decision. CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the decision after reviewing last year’s controversial move to a four-year schedule. The governing body had planned to introduce a new pan-African Nations League, which would take place every two years and replace the current AFCON format. However, CAF has acknowledged that the proposed competition could take several years to generate the revenue required to strengthen African football and make its tournaments financially self-sufficient. Motsepe said CAF decided to restore the biennial tournament in the best interests of African football and its 54 member associations. They also had to consider African players representing clubs outside the continent. He explained that CAF was concerned about how long the Nations League would take to deliver the financial benefits needed to make its competitions more competitive globally. The next AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament. Subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033. The scheduling has been revised to accommodate the international football calendar, particularly the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Motsepe noted that the final stages of continental national-team competitions cannot take place during a World Cup year, in accordance with FIFA’s established scheduling practices. The decision is a major shift for CAF as it restructures its competition calendar while exploring new revenue streams. The CAF president expressed confidence that the 2027 edition would be a success, adding that reinstating the two-year cycle would support the development and long-term growth of African football. The move will also provide more clarity for national associations, players and supporters after uncertainty clouded the future frequency of the continent’s flagship international competition.