African football is poised for a major transformation with the launch of the African Nations League, a new annual tournament scheduled to start in 2029.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe described the competition as a landmark initiative aimed at bringing Africa’s top players back to the continent each year while providing a steady stream of high-profile matches for fans.

All 54 CAF member associations will participate, divided into four geographical zones: six teams in the Northern zone and 16 teams each in the Eastern, Western, and Central & Southern zones. The tournament will take place annually in September and October, with the winners from each zone advancing to a November final series to crown the overall continental champion.

Motsepe emphasized the significance of the league, likening it to a mini-AFCON every year. “Every year, the best African players, including those in Europe, will come home to compete,” he said. “We are creating a world-class competition with 54 nations, showcasing the very best of African football.”

The league will be organized in partnership with FIFA, a move CAF believes will help attract top-tier sponsorship and raise the global profile of African football.

The creation of the African Nations League coincides with CAF’s overhaul of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) schedule. Starting in 2028, AFCON will shift from a two-year to a four-year cycle, aligning it with other major continental tournaments. With AFCON becoming less frequent, CAF hopes the new league will ensure that African international football remains competitive, exciting, and commercially viable every year.