The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has officially abandoned plans to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on a four-year cycle, choosing instead to retain the competition's traditional biennial format. The decision comes 10 months after Caf initially decided to extend the gap between editions, a move that first came under reconsideration during a strategy conference in Cape Verde. Caf president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the reversal was made in the "best interest of African football" and was rooted in "advancing, protecting and promoting" the continental game.
Initially announced ahead of the 2025 tournament in Morocco alongside Fifa general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, the four-year shift was aimed at helping the global calendar become more harmonised while limiting recurring player release disputes with European clubs. In place of a two-year Afcon, Caf had proposed an annual Africa Nations League involving all 54 member countries. However, Motsepe expressed misgivings that the new competition would require several years to offer the substantial financial contributions needed for African football to be self-supporting, recalling the Africa Super League which was abandoned after one edition when commercial deals fell short.
Afcon remains Caf's chief financial lifeline, with the 2025 edition in Morocco projected to generate $192m (£143m)—accounting for 66% of Caf's total competition income—and deliver a forecast profit of $114m (£85m). For national bodies like the Football Association of Zambia, which relies on Caf and Fifa resources to support nine of its 11 national teams lacking state funding, regular tournament revenue is vital. Caf subsequently invited all 54 member associations to state their scheduling preferences, leading the executive committee to vote in favour of restoring the two-year status quo.
The continental schedule will now see the 2027 Afcon staged in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda between 19 June and 17 July, with Motsepe having stressed the need for urgency regarding stadiums and infrastructure. Another tournament will follow immediately in 2028, with host details and specific dates yet to be confirmed. Subsequent finals are set for 2031 and 2033 to sidestep clashes with the Fifa World Cup, while the proposed Africa Nations League is tentatively scheduled to launch in September 2029.