The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years and restored the competition’s traditional two-year cycle.
CAF’s Executive Committee unanimously approved the decision on Thursday, October 29, 2026, after months of discussion over the future schedule of Africa’s biggest football tournament.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had earlier indicated that the governing body would reconsider the four-year format during its Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9.
In a statement announcing the reversal, CAF explained that the proposed Africa Nations League, which was expected to replace AFCON as the continent’s biennial competition, would take several years to generate the substantial financial resources required to support African football.
Motsepe said the decision to restore the two-year cycle was aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players employed by clubs outside the continent.
He added that the move would contribute to the development of the game and help make African football competitions more globally competitive and financially sustainable.
The next edition of 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. There will be no tournament in 2030 because it coincides with the FIFA World Cup.
CAF had announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move from its traditional two-year schedule to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition.
The proposed restructuring was part of a wider plan to introduce a new Africa Nations League, which was expected to provide a major continental competition every two years.
However, the plan attracted criticism and raised concerns about the potential financial and sporting implications for African football, particularly the opportunities it would provide for national teams and players across the continent.
The latest decision effectively restores the biennial format that has defined AFCON for decades.
