Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will shift from a biennial to a quadrennial tournament starting after the 2028 edition, bringing a major overhaul to Africa’s flagship football event.
Gatekeepers News reports that the announcement was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe in Rabat on the eve of AFCON 2025.
Under the new structure, 2027 and 2028 tournaments will take place as planned, but from 2032 onward AFCON will be held every four years, aligning more closely with other major international competitions such as European Championships and World Cup cycle.
According to CAF, the change is designed to ease scheduling conflicts with European club seasons and reduce strain on players and clubs who have long criticized the current timing of AFCON in the middle of the European campaign.
To fill the competitive gap left by fewer AFCON editions, CAF will launch an annual African Nations League in 2029, a new competition that will feature all 54 member associations and is modelled in part on UEFA’s Nations League format.
Officials hope this annual tournament will generate consistent revenue and provide more regular international football for Africa’s national teams.
CAF has also increased the prize money for AFCON winners to US $10 million for the upcoming tournament, up from US $7 million, as part of efforts to boost the competition’s profile and financial value.
Officials said the reform package, combining a quadrennial AFCON with a yearly Nations League will strengthen Africa’s football calendar, improve player welfare, and enhance the continent’s competitiveness on the global stage.
