BREAKING: AFCON to switch to four-year cycle from 2028, Nations League introduced

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move from its long-standing two-year cycle to a four-year format starting in 2028, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed.

The decision means the tournament will be staged for the final time in a biennial format at AFCON 2027 in East Africa, before a follow-up edition in 2028 and a permanent shift to a quadrennial cycle thereafter.

African Nations League introduced

In place of the reduced AFCON frequency, CAF will launch an African Nations League from 2029, to be played annually.

Motsepe described the move as a structural reset designed to modernise African football and better align it with the global calendar.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

Prize money increased

CAF also announced an increase in prize money, with AFCON winners now set to receive $10 million, up from the previous $7 million.

The move is aimed at boosting competitiveness and commercial appeal across the tournament.

Calendar conflicts drive reform

AFCON has been held every two years since 1968, aside from a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

However, its scheduling has repeatedly clashed with the European club season, creating tension between national teams and clubs.

Although CAF resolved to stage AFCON in June and July from 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic, climatic conditions in host nations and FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup have forced repeated returns to January-February windows.

As a result, AFCON 2025 in Morocco will run over Christmas and New Year, ending on 18 January.

Transition period confirmed

The 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are still to be dated, and will be followed quickly by AFCON 2028, with hosts yet to be named.

From then on, the tournament will be held every four years, coinciding with the same calendar year as the European Championship.

Motsepe said the decision was taken in consultation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafström.

How the African Nations League will work

The African Nations League will feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four zones: North Africa (six teams) and East, West, and Central & Southern Africa (16 teams each).

Matches will be played in September and October, with regional champions meeting in November to determine an overall winner.

CAF believes the competition will guarantee the regular release of Europe-based African stars and attract major sponsors.

“Every year, the best African players will be with us on the continent,” Motsepe said. “We are going to have a world-class competition every year.”