CAF scraps four-year plan, AFCON returns to every two years
The Africa Cup of Nations will once again be played every two years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its earlier decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.
What happened
CAF's Executive Committee reportedly approved the change unanimously on Thursday, 29 October 2026, after months of discussion. CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the decision in a statement on the body's website.
Why CAF changed course
Motsepe said the decision was taken to advance and protect the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players at clubs abroad. CAF had planned to introduce an Africa Nations League to fill the gap between tournaments, but it was reportedly concerned about how long the new competition would take to deliver the expected money and development benefits. Returning to a two-year AFCON was seen as the safer option in the short term.
What comes next
AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Motsepe said he was confident the three countries would deliver a successful competition. He described AFCON as more than a football tournament, calling it a celebration of African cultures that brings together people on the continent and in the diaspora.
Background
AFCON has been held every two years for most of its history, which has sometimes caused friction with European clubs that lose key players in the middle of their seasons. The move to a four-year cycle had been welcomed by some clubs but criticised by many fans and smaller federations, who rely on tournament income.
How fans reacted
Many African football fans, including Nigerians, welcomed the decision, saying more frequent AFCONs give the Super Eagles and other national teams more chances to compete for the title.
- CAF's executive committee approved the change unanimously.
- AFCON 2027 will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Motsepe says the decision protects African football's interests.
