AFCON to Be Held Every Four Years After 2027, CAF Confirms
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition.
AFCON is the biggest football tournament in Africa. Since it began in 1957, the competition has mostly been held every two years, with only a few exceptions.
The last major change came in 2012, when CAF moved the tournament from even years to odd years. Nigeria benefited from that decision, as the Super Eagles went on to win the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.
Since then, AFCON has continued to take place every two years. However, CAF is now planning the biggest change in the history of the tournament.
Speaking at an event in Morocco on Saturday, Motsepe said AFCON will be held every four years after the 2027 edition. The decision is linked to the introduction of a new African Nations League, which is expected to begin in 2029 and will be played every year.
The 2027 AFCON will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. After that edition, the next tournament will hold in 2028.
From then on, AFCON will take place every four years, with future editions scheduled for 2032, 2036 and beyond.
CAF said the new schedule is aimed at reducing the workload on African players and helping to grow interest in the new African Nations League.
Details of the African Nations League are yet to be announced, but it is expected to follow a similar format to the UEFA Nations League.
For now, CAF’s attention remains on the successful organisation of the 2025 AFCON, which begins on Sunday in Morocco.
