CAF Returns AFCON to Two-Year Cycle, Confirms 2027, 2028, 2031, 2033 Editions, Explains Decision

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially reversed its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, restoring the continent’s flagship men’s football tournament to its traditional two-year cycle.

The decision was unanimously approved by the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a reassessment of the proposed changes to the organisation’s international competition calendar.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the development, explaining that the decision was driven by the need to protect the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players competing for clubs outside the continent.

The reversal comes after CAF announced plans last year to move AFCON to a four-year cycle, with the proposed Africa Nations League expected to become the continent’s major biennial national-team competition.

However, CAF acknowledged that the new Africa Nations League would require several years to generate the substantial financial resources needed to support the development of African football and make the continent’s competitions globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.

Consequently, the EXCO decided that retaining AFCON as a biennial competition was necessary while the proposed alternative competition develops.

CAF Confirms AFCON Schedule Through 2033

Following the latest decision, CAF has confirmed that the next Africa Cup of Nations will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.

The subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033.

The 2030 edition will be avoided because of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for that year. CAF noted that, in keeping with FIFA’s established tradition, the final tournaments of continental national-team competitions should not take place during a FIFA World Cup year.

Motsepe Explains Decision

Explaining the rationale behind the reversal, Motsepe said the decision was taken in the best interests of African football and its member associations.

He also highlighted the importance of AFCON beyond the sporting competition, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate Africa’s diverse cultures, customs and traditions while bringing together people from across the continent and the African diaspora.

The CAF president expressed confidence that the 2027 tournament, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, would be successful.

The return to a two-year AFCON cycle represents a significant shift in CAF’s competition strategy, reaffirming the tournament’s position as the centrepiece of African international football.