The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially reversed its earlier decision to organise the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, announcing that the continent’s biggest football competition will return to its traditional biennial format.
The decision was unanimously reached by CAF’s Executive Committee on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a reassessment of the football governing body’s previous competition calendar strategy.
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, announced the development after the organisation’s strategy conference held in Cabo Verde from October 7 to 9.
The reversal comes less than a year after CAF announced plans in December 2025 to move AFCON to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition.
Under that arrangement, CAF had proposed introducing a new Africa Nations League, which was expected to provide a major continental football competition every two years and generate additional revenue for the development of the sport.
However, CAF acknowledged that the proposed competition would require several years before becoming financially sustainable and generating the substantial resources needed to support African football.
Explaining the decision, Motsepe said the Executive Committee’s position was guided by the need to protect and promote the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players employed by football clubs outside the continent.
He noted that waiting several years for the proposed Africa Nations League to become financially viable could undermine the immediate financial and developmental contributions expected from the AFCON.
According to CAF, restoring the two-year cycle would strengthen the organisation’s competitions and contribute significantly to the growth and global competitiveness of African football.
The next AFCON tournament will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the competition.
CAF has also confirmed that subsequent editions will take place in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
There will be no AFCON tournament in 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for that year. CAF explained that, in line with FIFA tradition, continental national-team competitions should not hold their final tournaments during a World Cup year.
Beyond the financial and sporting implications, Motsepe described AFCON as an important platform for celebrating Africa’s cultural diversity, traditions and customs while bringing together people from the continent’s 54 countries and the African diaspora.
The decision is expected to provide renewed opportunities for African football associations, players, sponsors, broadcasters and host countries.
For millions of football supporters across the continent, the return to the biennial arrangement represents a victory for one of Africa’s most celebrated sporting traditions.
