By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 21st December 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a landmark restructuring of Africa’s football calendar, confirming that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move to a four-year cycle starting from 2028. The announcement was made by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe following an executive committee meeting held in Morocco, on the eve of the AFCON 2025 finals in Rabat.
The decision marks the end of AFCON’s long-standing biennial format, which has been in place since 1968, and introduces a new era for continental football that also includes the launch of an African Nations League from 2029.
End of Biennial AFCON After 2027
AFCON has traditionally been staged every two years, a format that CAF maintained despite persistent scheduling conflicts with the European football calendar. However, Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) will be the final tournament under the two-year cycle.
From 2028 onwards, AFCON will be held once every four years, aligning it with other major international tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship. CAF has also confirmed that there will be a one-off AFCON in 2028, immediately following the 2027 edition, before fully transitioning to the quadrennial format.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.
“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
Calendar Challenges Forced CAF’s Hand
The biennial nature of AFCON has long been a source of tension between CAF and European clubs, as most tournaments have taken place in January and February, disrupting domestic league seasons. While CAF attempted to shift AFCON to a June–July window from 2019, several factors derailed the plan.
The Covid-19 pandemic, adverse weather conditions in Central and West Africa, and FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, held in June and July, forced CAF to repeatedly revert to mid-season scheduling. As a result, AFCON 2025 in Morocco will take place over Christmas and New Year, with the final scheduled for January 18.
Motsepe revealed that the restructuring was agreed in consultation with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, acknowledging that compromises were necessary.
African Nations League to Launch in 2029
In a bold move aimed at maintaining annual continental competition, CAF also announced the creation of the African Nations League, which will kick off in 2029 and be played every year between September and November.
The tournament will feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four regional zones:
Matches will be played in September and October, with the four regional champions meeting in November to determine the overall continental winner.
“This will be the equivalent of an AFCON every year,” Motsepe said.
“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent.”
Prize Money Increased to $10 Million
CAF also confirmed a significant increase in AFCON prize money, with the winners now set to receive $10 million, up from the previous $7 million. The move is part of CAF’s broader strategy to enhance the commercial value of African football and reinvest revenue into development across the continent.
Motsepe indicated that similar increases are planned for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, although details are yet to be officially announced.
Conclusion
CAF’s decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle represents one of the most transformative moments in African football history. By addressing long-standing calendar challenges and introducing the African Nations League, CAF aims to balance global alignment with continental growth.
With increased prize money, annual elite competition, and closer collaboration with FIFA, African football now enters a new era—one designed to elevate its global standing while keeping the continent’s best talent firmly connected to home soil.
