AFCON to be Held Every 4 Years in Major Shake-up

Historic Decision Announced by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe

In a groundbreaking move, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to shift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, starting from 2028. This change comes as part of a broader plan to introduce an African Nations League, which will be held annually. The announcement was made by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe in Morocco, ahead of the 2025 edition of AFCON.
The new cycle will see the AFCON tournament take place every four years, with the 2027 edition, scheduled to be hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, proceeding as planned. However, the following edition, originally set for 2029, will be moved forward to take place in 2028. The next AFCON after that will be in 2032, allowing for the first African Nations League to take place in 2029.
The African Nations League will involve all 54 member countries of the continent, divided into four geographical zones. The competition will feature games in September and October, with the finals held in November. According to Motsepe, this new format will enable the best African players, including those who play in Europe and worldwide, to participate in the continent’s premier national competition every year.
This decision aims to address the long-standing issue of scheduling conflicts, particularly with FIFA’s Club World Cup competition. The 2025 AFCON was pushed back from its original summer start date to avoid clashing with the new Club World Cup competition.
The introduction of the African Nations League is seen as a significant development, with Motsepe stating that it will provide a platform for the best African players to compete at the highest level on the continent every year.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström was present at the announcement and described the decision as “historic.” He emphasized the need for coordination between CAF and FIFA to ensure smooth scheduling of the competitions.

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