The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will transition to a quadrennial format starting in 2028, as announced by Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Historically, the tournament has been held biannually since 1968, with an exception in 2013, when a one-year hiatus occurred between the 2012 and 2013 competitions.
The new structure will take effect following the 2027 edition of Afcon, which is set to take place in East Africa. Instead of maintaining the existing biennial cycle, Caf will introduce an African Nations League, an annual tournament beginning in 2029. Motsepe expressed confidence in this new direction, stating, “We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” emphasizing the importance of aligning with global football schedules for the benefit of Africa.
In conjunction with these changes, Caf has raised the prize money for the Afcon champions from $7 million (approximately £5.2 million) to $10 million (around £7.5 million). This announcement regarding Afcon’s future was unveiled in Morocco during a meeting of Caf’s executive committee, just before the commencement of the 2025 finals in Rabat.
The historical biennial format of Afcon has often conflicted with the European football calendar, leading to challenges for clubs and players alike, as many recent tournaments have coincided with the peak of the European club season. Despite these challenges, Caf had previously aimed to maintain the two-year cycle to secure necessary revenue streams that help sustain and invest in football development across the continent.
A resolution in 2019 designated June and July as the preferred timeslot for Afcon; however, the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with unsuitable weather conditions in Central and West Africa, resulted in the 2021 and 2023 tournaments being postponed to January and February. This year’s Afcon, scheduled in Morocco, will uniquely take place over the Christmas and New Year period, with the final match occurring on January 18.
Looking ahead, the dates for the 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have not yet been established, but they will be closely followed by another Afcon in 2028. This will mark a significant shift, with the largest football tournament on the continent aligning its cycle with that of the prestigious European Championships.
Motsepe emphasized that these decisions have been made in collaboration with Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, and Mattias Grafstrom, Fifa’s general secretary, highlighting the necessity for Caf to adapt and compromise for the greater good of African football.
Furthermore, the newly introduced African Nations League aims to engage all 54 member associations of Caf by categorizing them into four zones, where teams will compete annually. Each zone will have a different number of participating nations, enhancing regional competitiveness.
This tournament format will take place between September and November each year, culminating with regional champions facing off in November to crown an overall victor. Motsepe referred to the African Nations League as “the equivalent of an Afcon every year,” aiming to foster the growth of African football and attract renowned sponsors through Fifa’s support.
The prospect of hosting an annual football competition means that Africa will witness its top football talent play on the continent regularly. The league aims to enhance the visibility and popularity of African football, ensuring that fans can enjoy high-caliber matches featuring the best players worldwide each year. With this strategic evolution, Caf hopes to create an elite footballing experience that celebrates Africa’s rich football heritage and unites its nations through sport.
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