CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirms AFCON will be held every four years starting in 2028.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed a major structural change to its flagship national team competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to be staged every four years starting from 2028.

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The announcement was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, marking the end of the tournament’s long-standing biennial format.AFCON has traditionally been held every two years since 1968, growing into one of the most celebrated football competitions on the continent.

However, its frequent scheduling has often brought it into conflict with the global football calendar, particularly European domestic leagues, where many African stars ply their trade.

Clubs have regularly raised concerns over player availability, while national teams have faced logistical challenges due to congested international windows.

Motsepe explained that the decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle is aimed at aligning African football more closely with global competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and other continental tournaments.

By adopting a quadrennial format, CAF believes AFCON will gain greater prestige, allow for better preparation by host nations and teams, and reduce tension between clubs and national associations over player releases.

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The new format will begin with the 2028 AFCON, after which the tournament will be held every four years, that is, in 2032, 2036, and beyond.

However, the transition will be gradual. The 2025 AFCON, currently taking place in Morocco, will proceed as scheduled, followed by the 2027 edition, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

An additional tournament is planned for 2028, meaning there will be three AFCON tournaments within a four-year period before the competition settles into its new cycle.CAF leadership has also acknowledged concerns about the financial implications of reducing the frequency of AFCON.

The tournament has historically generated a significant portion of CAF’s revenue. To offset this, Motsepe confirmed plans to introduce an African Nations League, which is expected to begin in 2029.

The proposed competition will provide regular competitive fixtures for national teams, help maintain commercial value, and keep fans engaged during years without AFCON. In addition to structural reforms, CAF has announced an increase in prize money for AFCON winners, with the champion’s reward set to rise from $7 million to $10 million.

The move is part of broader efforts to enhance the tournament’s profile and reward excellence on the continental stage.

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The decision to hold AFCON every four years brings Africa’s premier football competition in line with major international tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup, both of which follow a quadrennial cycle.

CAF officials believe this alignment will strengthen Africa’s position in global football governance and improve long-term planning for national teams and host countries.