The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its plan to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, retaining the tournament’s traditional two-year cycle.
The decision was unanimously approved by CAF’s Executive Committee on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a review of the proposed changes to the continental football calendar.
CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, had indicated at the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, that the committee would reconsider its earlier position.
The abandoned proposal, announced in 2025, sought to introduce a four-year AFCON cycle and establish an Africa Nations League to provide biennial continental competition.
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However, CAF said the proposed league would need several years to generate the financial resources required to support football development and strengthen the global competitiveness of African competitions.
Motsepe said retaining the two-year schedule was in the interest of African football, the confederation’s 54 member associations and players representing clubs outside the continent.
The 2027 edition will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with subsequent tournaments scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033. The 2030 edition will be skipped because of the FIFA World Cup.
The reversal preserves AFCON’s biennial status and ends CAF’s proposed shift to a four-year tournament cycle.