A new significant event is shaking the landscape of African football. After announcing a transition to an Africa Cup of Nations held every four years and the establishment of a Nations League in December 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision.
On Friday, the executive committee of the African football organization unanimously decided to restore the AFCON to every two years, according to a statement from CAF.
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The CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, stated in the announcement, “The decision of the CAF Executive Committee to restore the organization of AFCON every two years is aimed at advancing, protecting, and promoting the interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing in clubs outside the continent.”
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The CAF chief justified this turnaround by expressing concerns about the “time required before the proposed new pan-African competition, the Nations League, designed to be similar to the current AFCON and held every two years, can generate significant financial contributions and essential benefits for the development of African football.”
This admission highlights the haste of CAF, under FIFA's influence, in its decision to abandon a biennial AFCON, despite criticism from African players and experts.
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The CAF president confirmed that the next AFCON “will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda,” thus putting an end to rumors of a possible last-minute change of venue. “I am confident it will be a great success. The following editions will take place in 2028, 2031, and 2033,” he asserted.
