Africa’s flagship football tournament is heading for a historic transformation after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed sweeping changes to its competition calendar.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years starting in 2028, ending the biennial format that has defined African football since 1968.
In a further shake-up, Motsepe revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League from 2029, modeled on Europe’s UEFA Nations League, in a move aimed at boosting competitiveness, commercial value, and global visibility of African national teams.
The announcement comes on the eve of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, highlighting CAF’s push to modernize African football and better align it with the global football calendar.
AFCON’s two-year cycle has long drawn criticism from clubs and players over fixture congestion and player welfare, particularly for African stars based in Europe. CAF believes the four-year format will strike a better balance between club and international football while elevating AFCON’s prestige.
Hosts Morocco open the 2025 tournament against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, as African football prepares for a new era.
