The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has confirmed that from 2028, its major flagship tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged every four years.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe described the move as strategic and necessary for continental growth. According to him, alignment with the global football calendar now outweighs long-held scheduling customs.
AFCON has been played every two years since 1968, barring a brief scheduling adjustment in 2013. However, mounting pressure from clubs, broadcasters, and players forced administrators to rethink the model.
The final biennial editions will come in quick succession across East Africa in 2027 and again in 2028. Afterwards, AFCON will mirror the European Championship cycle, sharing the same competition years.
Alongside the calendar shift, CAF unveiled a brand-new African Nations League starting in 2029. The annual competition is designed to keep elite African players active on the continent every year.
ALSO READ:
- 10 key players to watch at AFCON 2025
- “We’ve matured”: Calvin Bassey backs Super Eagles to conquer AFCON 2025 in Morocco
- Anthony Joshua destroys Jake Paul’s jaw in dominant sixth-round knockout in Miami
Calendar harmony and bigger stakes for African football
Motsepe insisted the restructuring prioritises Africa’s long-term football interests above all else. He stressed that compromise with FIFA was essential to secure global cooperation and commercial growth.
According to Motsepe, the decision followed high-level talks with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior executives. As a result, CAF believes African football will enjoy improved visibility and stronger international relevance.
Importantly, AFCON prize money has also been significantly increased by the governing body. Winners will now earn $10 million. Scheduling conflicts have long plagued AFCON, especially clashes with Europe’s domestic seasons. Despite earlier plans for summer tournaments, weather and global disruptions repeatedly derailed progress.
Covid-19 setbacks and unsuitable climates forced recent editions back into January and February windows. Additionally, FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup further complicated CAF’s scheduling ambitions.
This year’s AFCON in Morocco will break new ground with festive-season dates. The opening match is scheduled for December 21 while the final will be played on January 18, 2026. Meanwhile, hosts for the 2028 edition remain undecided.
Tags: CAF, AFCON, four- year cycle, #AFCON2025, Patrice Motsepe, FIFA.
