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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant change to the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the tournament will now take place every four years starting from 2028.
This decision marks a major shift from the long-standing tradition of holding the continental competition every two years, a format that has been in place since 1968.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe made the announcement on Saturday, emphasising that the new structure is designed to modernise African football while aligning the AFCON calendar more closely with global football schedules.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
Historically, AFCON has been played every two years, with only a brief exception between the 2012 and 2013 editions when the tournament experienced a one-year gap.
Despite its frequent schedule, the competition has grown in prestige and importance, becoming one of the most anticipated events on the African sporting calendar.
Moving to a four-year cycle represents a significant change, with the intention of creating a tournament rhythm similar to that of the FIFA World Cup and other major international competitions.
The upcoming 2027 edition, which will be hosted across East Africa in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will be the last to follow the biennial format.
From 2028 onwards, AFCON will adopt the four-year cycle, giving teams, players, and organisers more time to prepare for the tournament.
CAF hopes this change will improve the quality of competition and help African footballers better manage the demands of both club and international football.
Motsepe’s decision has already sparked conversations among football fans, analysts, and stakeholders across the continent.
Supporters of the move argue that a four-year cycle will allow for more focused preparation, reduce fixture congestion, and offer improved commercial opportunities for both CAF and participating nations.
Critics, however, fear that the longer interval between tournaments could reduce the excitement and continuity that has been a hallmark of the AFCON experience for decades.
The CAF president also highlighted the broader goal of aligning African football with international standards.
By synchronising the calendar, African teams will be better positioned to compete on the global stage without facing clashes with major European leagues and international fixtures.
The move is seen as part of Motsepe’s larger vision to strengthen the infrastructure, organisation, and global appeal of African football.
In conclusion, the shift to a four-year AFCON cycle represents a landmark moment in African football history.
While it marks the end of a 60-year tradition of biennial tournaments, the change aims to modernise the competition, enhance player welfare, and align African football more closely with the global sporting calendar.
Fans will now look forward to the 2028 edition, which will usher in this new era for the continent’s flagship football event.
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