AFCON to Switch to Four-Year Cycle from 2028

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African football’s biggest national team competition is preparing for a historic structural change. The Africa Cup of Nations will no longer take place every two years once the new cycle begins in 2028.

The announcement was made by Patrice Motsepe, who confirmed that the competition will adopt a four-year format moving forward. The decision was revealed in Morocco as the continent prepared for the opening fixture of the tournament’s 35th edition.

During the launch events, host nation Morocco was scheduled to begin the tournament against Comoros.

The continental championship has been one of Africa’s most prestigious sporting events since it was first introduced in 1957. Over the decades, the tournament has grown significantly in popularity and remains the most important competition organized by the Confederation of African Football.

Financially, the event plays a central role in CAF’s operations, generating a large portion of the confederation’s revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, and global viewership.

Timeline for the New Tournament Format

Despite the upcoming structural change, the next scheduled edition of the competition will still follow the existing timeline.

The 2027 tournament will take place as planned and will be jointly hosted by three East African countries:

Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda

After that tournament, the competition will transition to the new four-year cycle starting in 2028.

Motsepe explained that the decision aims to create a more sustainable structure for African football and provide better alignment with the international football calendar.

He noted that while AFCON has historically been the organization’s most important source of funding, CAF is now building broader financial streams that allow the tournament schedule to evolve.

Alignment with Global Football Calendar

One major factor behind the reform involves coordination with the global football calendar overseen by FIFA.

Discussions around reducing AFCON’s frequency had previously been raised by Gianni Infantino. However, CAF had initially been reluctant to implement such a change because of the tournament’s financial importance.

Recent consultations between CAF leadership and FIFA officials, including Mattias Grafstrom, eventually led to a compromise that both organizations considered beneficial.

Motsepe emphasized that the revised format aims to ensure African football remains competitive globally while maintaining financial independence.

Scheduling Challenges in Recent Years

AFCON’s timing has often presented difficulties, particularly for players who compete in European leagues.

Traditionally staged during the European club season, the tournament has frequently forced clubs to release key players mid-season.

In 2019, CAF attempted to solve the issue by shifting the tournament to a June–July schedule. However, various circumstances—including weather conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup—have repeatedly forced adjustments.

As an example, the upcoming tournament in Morocco will run during the festive period, stretching across Christmas and the New Year, with the final scheduled for January 18, 2026.

Prize Money Increase and Future Editions

CAF has also taken steps to increase the financial rewards associated with the competition. The champion of the tournament will now receive a significantly larger prize.

The updated prize structure raises the winner’s reward from $7 million to $10 million, reflecting the confederation’s growing commercial strength.

Meanwhile, the exact calendar for the 2027 edition in East Africa has not yet been finalized. In addition, the host nation or nations for the 2028 tournament—when the new four-year cycle begins—are still to be determined.

Commentary and Analysis

The decision to move AFCON to a four-year schedule marks one of the most significant changes in the history of African football.

On one hand, the new structure could improve coordination with international competitions and reduce scheduling conflicts with European leagues where many African stars play.

At the same time, the shift raises questions about how often fans will see the continent’s premier football tournament. Holding the competition less frequently could increase its prestige, similar to the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship.

Financial considerations also appear to have played a role. By expanding CAF’s revenue streams beyond AFCON, the confederation may now feel confident enough to reduce reliance on a biennial tournament.

Ultimately, the reform reflects a broader effort to modernize African football’s governance and ensure the competition remains globally competitive in an increasingly crowded football calendar.