The Africa Cup of Nations will continue every two years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee unanimously approved a return to the traditional schedule.
The decision, announced on Thursday, October 29, brings clarity to the future of the continent’s flagship national-team competition following months of uncertainty over its proposed restructuring.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe had announced at the organisation’s strategy conference in Cabo Verde earlier in October that the Executive Committee would reconsider the decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle.
That review followed consultations with the continent’s football associations, giving them an opportunity to express their preferences on the future frequency of the tournament.
As previously reported by TheAthleticNG, CAF had written to all 54 member associations requesting their recommendations on whether AFCON should retain its traditional two-year schedule or move to a four-year arrangement.
The associations were asked to submit their positions by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, ahead of the Executive Committee meeting the following day.
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Following its deliberations, CAF confirmed that the Executive Committee had unanimously decided to restore the biennial format.
Motsepe said the decision was taken in the interest of African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players employed by clubs outside the continent.
“The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa,” he said.
The next AFCON will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with another edition scheduled for 2028.
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The subsequent tournaments will be held in 2031 and 2033, while no AFCON final tournament will take place in 2030, the year of the next FIFA World Cup.
CAF said the decision was in the best interests of African football and would contribute to the development and growth of the game across the continent.
