- AFCON to hold every four years after the 2028 edition
- CAF introduces African Nations League to replace lost revenue
- Calendar clash with FIFA, UEFA forces major rethink
- Prize money rises to $10m for Morocco 2025 winners
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major overhaul of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the tournament will move from its long-standing two-year cycle to a four-year format after 2028, in a bid to align African football with the crowded global calendar.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Saturday in Rabat, Morocco, describing it as part of a wider restructuring aimed at protecting African players and easing pressure on international schedules.
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According to Motsepe, the current biennial AFCON format had become increasingly difficult to sustain due to clashes with the FIFA World Cup, the expanded Club World Cup, and changes to the UEFA Champions League calendar.
“As part of this arrangement, the AFCON will now take place once every four years,” Motsepe told reporters.
The CAF president confirmed that while AFCON editions will be held in 2027 (jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and 2028, subsequent tournaments will follow a four-year cycle. CAF will also open a bidding process for countries interested in hosting the 2028 edition.
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To cushion the financial impact of reducing AFCON frequency, CAF plans to launch an annual African Nations League, similar to UEFA’s model. The competition will feature regional groups across Africa, with matches played in September and October, followed by finals in November.
Motsepe explained that the new tournament would generate increased revenue for national associations while keeping African players active on the continent.
“Our primary duty is to African football, but we also have a responsibility to players competing at the highest level in Europe,” he said.
CAF also announced an increase in prize money, revealing that winners of the upcoming Morocco-hosted AFCON will receive $10 million, up from $7 million awarded at the 2024 Ivory Coast edition.
The AFCON, first held in 1957, has traditionally taken place every two years but has struggled in recent decades to find a stable window due to weather concerns and international scheduling conflicts.
The shift to a four-year cycle is expected to mark a turning point in African football administration and calendar planning.
