CAF Reverts To Two-Year Tournament Cycle
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will revert to being held every two years.
CAF had previously announced that following the 2027 edition in East Africa and a 2028 tournament (whose host is yet to be named), the flagship competition would switch to a four-year cycle. However, during a recent meeting in Cape Verde, CAF confirmed that discussions were underway to restore the biennial format.
In a letter sent to its 54 member associations last week, CAF set a deadline of Wednesday for members to approve the decision to discard the proposed four-year cycle.
“The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football unanimously decided on Thursday that the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) will once again be held every two years,” CAF said in an official statement.
“CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced at the CAF Strategic Conference held in Cape Verde from October 7–9, 2026, that the Executive Committee would reconsider the decision taken last year to move the AFCON to a four-year cycle.
“This review was primarily driven by the realization that the proposed new pan-African competition—the Nations League, which was intended to replace the current AFCON and be played every two years—would require several years before generating the substantial financial resources needed to make CAF competitions and African football globally competitive and financially self-sufficient.”
Speaking on the decision, Dr. Motsepe stated:
“The decision of the CAF Executive Committee to reinstate the AFCON on a biennial basis aims to advance, protect, and promote the interests of African football, its 54 Member Associations, and African players playing for clubs outside the continent.
“We were also concerned about the number of years it would take before the proposed Nations League—designed to mirror the current AFCON and be played every two years—could yield the substantial financial contributions and spin-offs required to develop African football, make CAF competitions globally competitive, and achieve financial self-sustainability.”
The CAF statement added:
“The next edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and I am confident that it will be a great success. Subsequent editions will take place in 2028, 2031, and 2033.
“The next FIFA World Cup will take place in 2030. In accordance with FIFA tradition, the final phase of the AFCON and other confederation national team competitions may not be held during a FIFA World Cup year.
“The AFCON is also a celebration of African football and the richness and diversity of our continent’s cultures, customs, and traditions. It brings together the populations of Africa’s 54 countries, the African diaspora, and people across the whole world.
“The decision of the CAF Executive Committee is in the best interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations. It will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.”
Qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON are already underway, with two matchdays completed last month. Two more fixtures are scheduled for November and another two for March next year, ahead of the main tournament in East Africa in June.
While the tournament format has now been resolved, the outcome of the 2025 AFCON held in Morocco remains pending. That matter is currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), following conflicting rulings by CAF’s Disciplinary Body and Appeal Board that have caused significant turmoil in African football.
