CAF Confirms AFCON Will Return to a Two-Year Cycle

CAF Reverses AFCON Four-Year Plan as Tournament Returns to a Two-Year Cycle

African football is set for another major change after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to a biennial format.

CAF has reversed its earlier plan to move the tournament to a four-year cycle, confirming that the competition will once again be held every two years.

The decision was reached unanimously by the CAF Executive Committee on 29 October 2026, marking a significant change in the organisation's long-term plans for African football.

AFCON 2027 Remains on Schedule

Despite the change in format, the next edition of the competition will still take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament.

CAF has also outlined the subsequent editions as follows:

• 2027: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
• 2028: Next edition
• 2031: Following edition
• 2033: Following edition

There will be no AFCON tournament in 2030, as that year is scheduled for the FIFA World Cup.

Why Has CAF Changed Its Plans?

The reversal is linked partly to the proposed Africa Nations League, which had been considered as part of CAF's plans for the future of the continental game.

However, CAF indicated that the proposed competition would take several years to generate the financial resources required to support football development across the continent.

Returning AFCON to a two-year cycle is therefore part of the organisation's revised approach to protecting the competition's importance and supporting its member associations.

What Does This Mean for African Football?

AFCON is one of the most important competitions in international football, bringing together Africa's leading national teams and attracting attention from supporters across the world.

A return to the biennial format means African football fans will have more regular opportunities to experience the tournament, while national teams will have another major continental title to compete for every two years.

However, the decision also raises questions about scheduling, player workload and how CAF will balance the competition with the increasingly demanding international football calendar.

For clubs employing African players, the frequency of AFCON will remain an important consideration when planning their seasons.

A Major Decision for the Future

CAF's announcement represents a significant change in direction. The four-year plan has been reversed, and the traditional two-year AFCON cycle is returning.

The challenge now will be ensuring that the competition continues to grow commercially and competitively while protecting the interests of African players, clubs and national associations.

One thing is certain: AFCON's future has taken another important turn.

CHAG SPORTS — BEYOND THE GAME.