CAF Confirms Major AFCON Changes and Announces New Tournament

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CAF Confirms Major AFCON Changes and Announces New Tournament

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has revealed a landmark change to the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the continent’s premier football competition will move to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition.

The announcement was made following CAF’s latest Executive Committee deliberations, signaling a strategic shift designed to align AFCON more closely with other major international tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and Copa América.

AFCON Transition Timeline

The AFCON 2027, hosted jointly by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, will mark the last edition under the current biennial format. From there, the tournament will transition to a four-year cycle, beginning with AFCON 2028, followed by editions in 2032, 2036, and beyond.

This adjustment means African nations will now compete for continental glory once every four years, a move CAF believes will enhance the prestige of the competition, reduce scheduling conflicts, and allow players more recovery time between major tournaments.

CAF Exec

African Nations League Launch

The African Nations League will debut in 2029, following FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup. The competition will feature regionalized groups: 16 teams each in the east, west, and central-southern zones, and six in the northern zone. Matches will be played in September and October, with finals staged in November at a single host venue.

Motsepe emphasized that the Nations League will bring more prize money, resources, and competition, ensuring African football remains financially sustainable while offering players regular opportunities to represent their countries.

Motsepe’s Vision

CAF President Motsepe emphasized that the decision reflects the growing stature of African football globally.

“AFCON has become one of the most watched and commercially successful football tournaments in the world. Moving to a four-year cycle ensures that we continue to grow its value, while giving our players and clubs the space to thrive both domestically and internationally,” he said.

Motsepe added that the change will also allow CAF to focus on strengthening club competitions, youth development, and infrastructure across member associations.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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