The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee has unanimously decided to return the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a two-year cycle, reversing its earlier decision to hold the tournament every four years.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe announced this at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.

He said the Executive Committee would reassess the decision taken last year to move the continental showpiece to a four-year cycle.

The decision follows concerns over the time required for the proposed Africa Nations League, which was expected to replace the existing AFCON format and take place every two years.

CAF acknowledged that the new competition would need several years before generating the substantial financial resources required to make African football and its competitions globally competitive and self-sustaining.

Motsepe said the return to a two-year cycle is aimed at protecting the interests of African football, CAF's 54 member associations and African players plying their trade outside the continent.

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“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 said.

He expressed confidence in the upcoming 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, while outlining the schedule for subsequent editions.

According to Motsepe, the tournament will take place in 2027, 2028, 2031 and 2033.

The scheduling takes into account the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as CAF says the AFCON final tournament and other confederation national team competitions may not be held during a World Cup year.

Motsepe added that AFCON remains an important platform for celebrating African football, showcasing the continent's diverse cultures and traditions, and bringing together people from Africa's 54 countries, the diaspora and across the world.

PAH/EB

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