Africa Cup of Nations to return to two-year cycle

The Africa Cup of Nations will be held every two years again after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed plans to stage it every four years.

CAF’s executive committee made the decision unanimously, the organisation said.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the change followed a review of the previous plan and difficulties in launching a proposed pan-African League of Nations.

That competition had been viewed as a possible alternative to the Africa Cup of Nations and a source of extra revenue for African football. CAF concluded it would not deliver the required financial returns quickly enough.

“The decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every two years is based on the need to protect and promote the interests of African football, the 54 member associations of CAF, as well as African players playing for clubs outside the continent,” Motsepe said.

The next tournament will take place in 2027 and be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Further editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033.

There will be no Africa Cup of Nations in 2030 because of the World Cup. CAF said the revised calendar aims to align continental competitions with the international football schedule while keeping the continent’s main national-team tournament regular.