The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has officially confirmed plans to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, marking a historic shift in the competition’s format.
The landmark decision, announced on Saturday, December 20, brings an end to the long-standing tradition of hosting the continent’s flagship tournament every two years — a system that has been in place since 1968.
CAF confirmed that the current biennial format will remain in place up to the 2027 AFCON, which is scheduled to be hosted in Eastern Africa. The 2028 edition will still go ahead as planned, after which the competition will fully transition to a four-year cycle.
Motsepe described the move as part of a broader, ambitious vision aimed at transforming African football.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.
CAF believes the new cycle will significantly enhance the quality and prestige of AFCON, providing host nations with more time to prepare, easing fixture congestion, and reducing the strain placed on players and clubs, particularly those in Europe.
In addition to the AFCON reforms, CAF also revealed plans to introduce a new African Nations League, which is expected to kick off in 2029, further expanding competitive opportunities for national teams across the continent.
