CAF moves AFCON to four-year cycle
Written by Abidoye Babatunde Blackcoin on 20 — 12
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially changed its schedule to be held every four years instead of the traditional two. CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced this decision during an executive meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.
Since its inception in 1957, AFCON has been a vital source of revenue for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), generating approximately 80% of its income. The upcoming tournaments will still occur, with the next AFCON scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, followed by another edition in 2028.
To ensure continuous competition and excitement, an African Nations League will also be introduced starting in 2029. This league will establish annual matches among African national teams, mirroring the successful format of European competitions.
This new framework aims to enhance CAF’s financial independence and align more closely with the FIFA calendar. The transition to a four-year tournament is also intended to address the longstanding conflicts with the European football season, which has often made it challenging for clubs to release their African players during AFCON.
The scheduling of this year’s tournament in Morocco was adjusted to accommodate FIFA’s Club World Cup, further emphasizing CAF’s commitment to optimizing the timing of its international events and creating a more sustainable football environment across Africa.
