RABAT – In a landmark decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced Saturday that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will now occur every four years, moving away from its traditional biennial schedule. CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the change following an executive committee meeting in Rabat, Morocco. The tournament, which generates about 80% of CAF’s revenue since 1957, will see its next edition in 2027 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, followed by 2028, then every four years thereafter.
To bridge the gap, Motsepe unveiled plans for an annual African Nations League starting in 2029, mirroring Europe’s model. “Historically, the Nations Cup was our prime resource, but now we’ll secure financial resources every year,” he stated at the press conference. This structure promises sustainable financial independence and better alignment with the FIFA calendar.
The shift addresses long-standing controversies over AFCON’s timing, which often disrupts European club seasons by requiring player releases. Previous attempts to move it to mid-year faltered, with recent editions in Cameroon (2022), Ivory Coast (2024), and now Morocco facing scheduling clashes, including FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer. Morocco hosts the 35th AFCON starting Sunday, with the Atlas Lions facing Comoros in the opener. The decision, once resisted despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s advocacy, marks a bold step toward modernizing African football.