The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its earlier decision to organise the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, confirming that the competition will continue to hold every two years.
The decision was unanimously approved by the CAF Executive Committee and announced by its president, Patrice Motsepe, following the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.
CAF had earlier proposed moving AFCON to a four-year cycle while introducing an Africa Nations League as a biennial competition.
However, the continental football governing body said its review showed that the proposed Nations League would take several years to deliver the expected financial benefits and football development opportunities needed to strengthen African football.
In a statement published on Thursday, Motsepe said retaining the two-year AFCON schedule was in the best interest of African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players representing clubs outside the continent.
He explained that the decision was also influenced by concerns about the time required for the proposed Nations League to generate the financial resources and developmental impact initially anticipated.
Under the revised schedule, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.
Subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033, with CAF maintaining that the competition will not be held in a FIFA World Cup year.
Motsepe expressed confidence in the ability of the three East African countries to successfully host the 2027 tournament.
He also described AFCON as an important platform for promoting African football, celebrating the continent’s diverse cultures and bringing together people from its 54 countries and the diaspora.
The CAF president added that retaining the biennial format would contribute to the growth and development of football across the continent.
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