The Confederation of African Football Executive Committee voted unanimously on October 29, 2026, to restore the Africa Cup of Nations to a biennial schedule, reversing a previous plan to hold the tournament every four years, france24.com reported.
Africa Cup of Nations Returns to Two-Year Cycle
The decision restores the traditional two-year format for Africa’s flagship football tournament. CAF president Patrice Motsepe stated that the organization reconsidered the quadrennial cycle after assessing the financial timeline of the newly proposed African Nations League, according to guinee360.com. Officials worried the new tournament would need years to generate the substantial revenues required to keep African football competitions financially independent and globally competitive.
The decision of the CAF Executive Committee to maintain the CAN every two years rests on the desire to advance, protect, and promote the interests of African football,
Motsepe explained, as reported by guinee360.com.
Tournament Schedule Adjustments Through 2033
The next tournament remains scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Subsequent editions will take place in 2028, 2031, and 2033. The three-year gap between 2028 and 2031 avoids scheduling conflicts with the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The reversal comes less than a year after the quadrennial format was initially announced in December 2025. CAF leadership first signaled a policy review during the strategic conference held on October 9, 2026, in Cape Verde.
Pending Legal Decision for the 2025 Tournament
While future tournament dates are locked in, the winner of the 2025 competition remains officially undecided pending a court ruling. Senegal won the final on the pitch on January 18 in Rabat by defeating Morocco 1-0, though the match ended in chaos after many Senegal players left the pitch to protest officiating decisions, france24.com reported.
The CAF appeal jury subsequently awarded a victory on green turf to Morocco, prompting the Senegalese Football Federation to take the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court is scheduled to deliver its final verdict by the end of November.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Schedule Change
Why did CAF reverse its decision to hold the tournament every four years?
CAF leaders concluded that the proposed African Nations League would take too long to generate the necessary financial support for African football development, making the return of the traditional two-year schedule essential for financial autonomy.
Who hosts the next Africa Cup of Nations tournament?
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host the tournament in 2027.
Why is there no tournament scheduled for the year 2030?
CAF scheduled a three-year gap between the 2028 and 2031 tournaments specifically to prevent the Africa Cup of Nations from conflicting with the FIFA World Cup in 2030.