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The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will switch from being held every two years to every four years, starting in 2028. This change was confirmed by Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe.
Afcon has taken place every two years since 1968, except for a gap between the 2012 and 2013 tournaments. The 2027 event in East Africa will be followed by another in 2028, then the new four-year schedule will begin.
Motsepe also announced a new annual competition called the African Nations League, which will start in 2029. All 54 CAF member associations will take part, divided into regional zones. The winners from each zone will meet in November to decide the continental champion.
“We are introducing the most exciting structure in African football. The global calendar must be better aligned, and this is in Africa’s best interest,” said Motsepe.
Prize Money Increase
CAF also said that Afcon prize money will go up, with the winners’ reward rising from $7 million to $10 million. This decision was announced after an executive committee meeting in Morocco, before the 2025 finals in Rabat.
Clash in Calendar
The two-year schedule has often conflicted with the European club season, making players leave their clubs in the middle of the season. CAF tried to solve this by moving Afcon to June and July starting in 2019, with Egypt hosting. But the COVID-19 pandemic and weather in host countries delayed the 2021 and 2023 tournaments to January and February.
This year’s tournament in Morocco will be the first to run over Christmas and New Year, with the final on 18 January. The 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda do not have confirmed dates yet, and the hosts for 2028 have not been chosen.
Starting in 2028, Afcon will be held in the same year as the European Championships. Motsepe said this decision was made after discussions with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom.
African Nations League to Run Annually
The new Nations League will run annually, from Sept. to Nov. giving African fans a regular continental competition. Motsepe said this format will bring African players based in Europe back home more often and offer sponsors a top-level event. “We are building a competition that matches global standards,” he expressed.
