The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to restore the Africa Cup of Nations to a biennial schedule, abandoning its earlier plan to hold the competition once every four years. The decision was unanimously endorsed by the executive committee on Friday.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the decision followed a review of the organization's tournament strategy, particularly in light of difficulties associated with launching the proposed African Nations League. The competition, initially planned to take place every two years, would require several years of preparation before delivering its anticipated financial and developmental benefits.
Motsepe explained that the time and resources needed to establish the new tournament and secure its expected returns were among the main considerations behind the change, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding to advance African football.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will remain scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The following editions are planned for 2028, 2031 and 2033, with a three-year interval between the 2028 and 2031 tournaments to prevent a scheduling conflict with the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
