CAF ends biennial AFCON, sets four-year cycle, launches African Nations League

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will switch to a four-year cycle beginning after the 2028 tournament.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced the decision on Saturday during a press briefing in Morocco following an executive committee meeting, held on the eve of AFCON 2025.

Under the new arrangement, the biennial format will end after the 2027 and 2028 editions, with the 2032 competition becoming the first AFCON to be staged following a four-year interval. The tournament will also be synchronised with the European Championships and played in the same year.

AFCON has been held every two years since 1968, a schedule that has often clashed with European club seasons and created tension over the release of African players by their clubs.

Although the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) had earlier proposed a four-year cycle to reduce the strain on clubs, CAF initially rejected the suggestion.

Motsepe, however, said the new format would better align African football with the global calendar.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” he said.
“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

The CAF president also revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League in 2029.

According to Motsepe, while AFCON currently generates the bulk of CAF’s income, the new competition will create an additional and more consistent revenue stream.

“Historically the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us but now we will get financial resources every year,” he added.

“It is an exciting new structure which will contribute to sustainable financial independence and ensure more synchronization with the FIFA calendar.

“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent. Every year we will have a competition with 54 African nations with all the best players coming here to play.

“We are going to have a world-class competition every year.”
CAF also approved an increase in prize money for the AFCON champions, raising the winners’ reward from $7 million to $10 million.