In a landmark decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years starting after a transitional 2028 edition.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe broke the news on December 20, 2025, during a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, just hours before the 2025 tournament kicked off.
The ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
It will be followed by the 2027 edition, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
A final biennial tournament is planned for 2028, with the host nation still to be selected.
From then on, AFCON will align with a four-year cycle, similar to the UEFA European Championship.
Motsepe emphasised the need for better integration with the global football calendar.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” he stated.
“The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
The move comes after discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
To compensate for reduced AFCON frequency, CAF will introduce an annual African Nations League beginning in 2029, providing consistent competitive fixtures and revenue streams.
Additionally, the prize money for the 2025 AFCON winners has been boosted to $10 million, up from $7 million.
This restructuring aims to resolve longstanding scheduling conflicts, particularly with European club commitments.
