CAF reverts to two-year AFCON cycle after reversing four-year plan

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, restoring the tournament's traditional two-year cycle.

The decision was unanimously approved by the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) following a meeting, with the continental governing body citing the need to protect the interests and promote the development of African football.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe had earlier indicated at the organisation's Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026, that the EXCO would review the decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.

The review followed concerns surrounding the proposed Africa Nations League, which was initially expected to replace the existing biennial AFCON format as a major pan-African competition.

However, CAF acknowledged that the new competition would take several years to generate the financial resources required to support football development across the continent and make its competitions more commercially sustainable.

The governing body subsequently opted to retain the traditional AFCON schedule, arguing that the decision would better serve its 54 member associations, African players and other stakeholders.

Motsepe said the decision was informed by the need to advance African football while protecting the interests of players, particularly those employed by 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," Motsepe stated.

The CAF president also expressed confidence in the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Under the revised schedule, the tournament will be staged in 2027, 2028, 2031 and 2033, with the adjustment designed to accommodate the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

CAF has maintained that the final tournament of its flagship national team competition will not coincide with a FIFA World Cup year, in line with the established scheduling practice of other continental confederations.

Motsepe further highlighted the wider significance of AFCON, describing it as more than a football tournament.

He said the competition provides an important platform for showcasing Africa's diverse cultures, traditions and identity while bringing together people from the continent's 54 countries, the African diaspora and the rest of the world.

The return to a two-year cycle marks a significant change in CAF's competition calendar and is expected to provide greater continuity for member associations as the governing body seeks to strengthen the commercial and developmental foundations of African football.