CAF Approves the Return of AFCON to a Two-year Cycle

CAF has formally approved the return of the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle, reversing its earlier decision to stage the tournament every four years.

The Executive Committee reached the decision unanimously on Thursday, 29 October.

CAF said the proposed Africa Nations League would need several years before it could generate the financial resources required to support African football and its competitions.

The announcement follows a review signalled by president Patrice Motsepe earlier this month.

CAF’s stated sequence is important: the next tournament remains in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033.Supporters should therefore avoid interpreting the decision as an uninterrupted two-year calendar beginning immediately after 2027.

CAF’s announcement explicitly includes a three-year gap between 2028 and 2031.