African Cup of Nations Returns to Biennial Cycle

The African Cup of Nations (Afcon) will return to its traditional two-year cycle after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) reversed its earlier decision to hold the tournament every four years. This change comes after a review of the initial announcement made in December.

Caf had proposed an African Nations League to replace the biennial Afcon, but recognized that it would take time to achieve the necessary revenue for self-sufficiency. Caf president Patrice Motsepe stated that the reinstatement of the two-year cycle aims to support the interests of African football and its players.

The biennial hosting of Afcon has historically conflicted with the European football calendar, as many tournaments occurred during the club season. The next Afcon is scheduled for 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda serving as co-hosts, followed by tournaments in 2028, 2031, and 2033, while there will be no tournament in 2030 due to the World Cup.