AFCON Will Return to Every Two Years, CAF

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has changed its earlier plan. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will now happen every two years again.

CAF's Executive Committee (EXCO) made the decision unanimously. CAF President Patrice Motsepe shared this news after a Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde from October 7 to 9, 2026.

This decision comes after CAF reviewed its earlier plan to hold AFCON every four years. They had also planned to introduce a new Africa Nations League as a competition every two years.

CAF explained that the proposed Nations League would take many years to bring in the money needed to support African football. They want the competitions to be competitive and self-sufficient.

Motsepe explained the reasons behind the decision. He said the EXCO wanted to protect the interests of African football. This includes the 54 member associations and African players who play for clubs outside Africa.

"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 also mentioned concerns about how long it would take for the new Africa Nations League to create the financial and developmental benefits CAF hoped for.

"We were also concerned by the several years required before the proposed new Africa Nations League Pan-African competition, which was supposed to be identical to the current AFCON and take place Every Two Years, could make the substantial financial and football development contributions for African Football and CAF competitions to be globally competitive and self-supporting," he said.

According to the new schedule, the next TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will be held together by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.

The following editions are set for 2028, 2031, and 2033. CAF confirmed that AFCON will not be held in the same year as the FIFA World Cup.

Motsepe is confident that the East African nations will host the 2027 tournament well. He sees the competition as a great chance to show off African football talent.

"The next TotalEnergies CAF AFCON will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and I am confident that it will be very successful," he said.

He noted that the scheduling also considers the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He pointed out that, traditionally, continental national team competitions should not have their finals during a World Cup year.

Beyond sports and finances, Motsepe highlighted that AFCON is an important cultural event. It unites Africans and celebrates the continent's diversity.

"The AFCON competition is also about celebrating African Football and Africa’s rich and diverse cultures, customs and traditions and bringing people together from Africa’s 54 Countries, the African Diaspora and throughout the world," Motsepe stated.

He believes that going back to the two-year cycle will help grow the game in Africa and strengthen CAF’s member associations.

"The CAF EXCO decision is in the best interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa," he added.

This decision is a big change for CAF's competition calendar. It confirms AFCON's role as the main national team tournament in Africa while giving the new Africa Nations League a different place in CAF’s future plans.