The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee voted unanimously to restore the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle, citing the need to protect financial stability and support the development of member federations.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will continue to take place every two years after its Executive Committee unanimously approved maintaining the tournament’s traditional schedule. The decision replaces a proposal announced in December 2025 that would have moved the competition to a four-year cycle.
Patrice Motsepe, the CAF president, led the review of the continental calendar. The Executive Committee weighed the financial impact of the measure before ratifying it.
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A decisive factor was the projected African Nations League. CAF considers that the new competition requires a longer timeframe to consolidate its own revenue, and that pressure pushed the governing body to prioritise current stability over an expanded slate of events. The league remains in development, presented by the confederation as a competition that will eventually generate its own income.
Motsepe framed the outcome as a protective step. “The absolute priority protects the interests of African football and its protagonists,” he said, emphasizing the benefit for national federations.
CAF controls the prize money and broadcast rights for its flagship tournament, income that flows back to member associations. A predictable two-year rhythm, officials argue, gives those federations a steadier footing. Motsepe, a South African businessman, was elected unopposed in March 2021.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Executive Committee (“EXCO”) today unanimously decided that the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) will return to taking place every Two Years.
The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe announced at the CAF Strategy Conference in…
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) October 30, 2026
Hosts And Future Dates
The 2027 edition will be held from 19 June to 17 July and will be the first organized jointly by three countries: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The years 2028, 2031 and 2033 complete the cycle, and the schedule is designed to avoid a clash with the 2030 World Cup.
The vote marks a reversal of recent direction. The Africa Cup of Nations has run every two years since 1968, shifting to odd-numbered years in 2013 so as not to collide with the World Cup. CAF had floated plans to make the event quadrennial from 2028, but that proposal remained on hold.
The tournament’s scale explains why the calendar carries such weight. The first edition, held in Sudan in 1957, featured only three teams. Fifteen countries have lifted the trophy, with Egypt the most successful on seven titles. The current trophy has been awarded since 2002.
Since 2019 the final phase has grown from 16 to 24 teams, a change that increased both the number of matches and the revenue available to participating associations.
Beyond competition, CAF stressed the cultural value of the event. The tournament brings together the confederation’s 54 member associations and reinforces a sense of belonging across the continent.
CAF and the Uganda Tourism Board (“UTB”) have announced an agreement that will see Uganda promoted as a leading African tourism destination during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (PAMOJA) 2027.
CAF welcomes Uganda Tourism Board as… pic.twitter.com/qFDCQzdKUv
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) October 30, 2026
With hosts confirmed for 2027 and dates set through 2033, attention now turns to the qualifying process and to the rollout of the African Nations League. The restored two-year rhythm also preserves the tournament’s place among the world’s major national team competitions
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