CAF moves AFCON to four-year cycle; launches new annual league

December 20, 2025 / 10:04 PM

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Brazilian Fifa Deputy Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah ...

Sharjah 24 – AFP: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028, ending the long-standing biennial format.

Decision announced at 2025 AFCON kick-off

CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the decision during the 2025 AFCON kick-off press conference in Rabat on Saturday, describing the move as essential for the long-term development of African football.

New AFCON schedule from 2028

Under the new structure, following the 2027 AFCON co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, subsequent tournaments will be held in 2028, 2032 and 2036.

Reducing club vs country tensions

Motsepe said the change would ease growing tensions between national teams and European clubs over player availability.

“It is unfair to put players in the middle of this conflict, where clubs do not want them to travel to Africa — and they are correct — but CAF also needs them to represent their countries,” he said.

Financial and sporting benefits for CAF

He added that the revised format would benefit players, national teams and the confederation itself.

“We are addressing this first for CAF, second for our African players, and third because a four-year cycle will generate significantly more revenue than holding AFCON every two years,” Motsepe said.