BY Issah Olegor
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a sweeping reform of Africa’s international football calendar, confirming that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move from its long-standing two-year cycle to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028.
The announcement was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe on Saturday, December 20, 2025, on the eve of the kickoff of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
The decision marks one of the most significant structural changes to Africa’s flagship football competition since its expansion to 24 teams.
AFCON has traditionally been staged every two years since 1968, making it one of the most frequent continental championships in world football.
The only deviation from this rhythm came between the 2012 and 2013 tournaments, when CAF adjusted the calendar to avoid clashes with the European club season.
End of an Era
Under the new arrangement, the existing format will remain in place until the conclusion of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted across East Africa.
That tournament will serve as the final edition of AFCON under the biennial system before the transition to a four-year cycle starting in 2028.
CAF officials believe the change will bring African football into closer alignment with other major continental competitions such as the UEFA European Championship and the Copa América, both of which are held every four years.
The move is also expected to reduce fixture congestion for players, many of whom compete in top European leagues and have long complained about the demanding international calendar.
African Nations League
In addition to the AFCON calendar reform, Motsepe revealed plans for the introduction of an African Nations League, a new continental competition modeled partly on UEFA’s Nations League.
According to CAF, the African Nations League is expected to be staged annually from 2029 and will involve national teams across the continent.
While detailed formats and qualification criteria are yet to be unveiled, the competition is expected to provide regular, high-quality matches for African national teams, replacing a number of low-profile international friendlies with competitive fixtures that carry sporting and commercial value.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said, expressing confidence that the reforms will enhance the global appeal and competitiveness of the African game.
Reforms
CAF’s decision comes after years of debate among football administrators, clubs, and players about the sustainability of the biennial AFCON model.
European clubs, in particular, have frequently raised concerns about releasing African players mid-season, while national associations have argued that more frequent tournaments provided greater opportunities for development and exposure.
The introduction of the African Nations League appears to be a compromise—reducing the frequency of AFCON while still ensuring regular competitive action for national teams.
