CAF President Patrice Motsepe has officially confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged every four years beginning in 2028, marking one of the most significant structural changes to African football’s flagship tournament in decades. Alongside the announcement, CAF also unveiled plans to introduce a new African Nations League, set to kick off in 2029 and be played annually.
Motsepe made the confirmation while outlining CAF’s long-term strategic reforms aimed at modernising African football, improving competitiveness, and aligning the continent’s calendar more efficiently with global football schedules. AFCON, traditionally held every two years, has often faced scheduling conflicts with European club competitions, leading to tensions between clubs, national teams, and players. The move to a four-year cycle is expected to ease those pressures while enhancing the tournament’s commercial value and global appeal.
Under the new format, AFCON will follow a model similar to the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, with a longer preparation cycle, extended qualification campaigns, and increased emphasis on tournament quality rather than frequency. CAF believes this will allow host nations more time to prepare infrastructure, improve organisational standards, and attract higher levels of sponsorship and broadcasting revenue.
The newly announced African Nations League is designed to fill the competitive gap created by the reduced AFCON frequency. Set to begin in 2029, the annual competition will feature African national teams competing in a structured league system, offering regular high-level fixtures outside AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. CAF says the tournament will provide meaningful matches, reduce the number of low-stakes friendlies, and create additional commercial opportunities for member associations.
Football analysts note that the Nations League could play a crucial role in player development and ranking accuracy across the continent, while also giving fans consistent access to competitive international football. Details on the league’s format, promotion and relegation structure, and qualification links to major tournaments are expected to be released by CAF in the coming months.
The reforms come as CAF continues to push broader governance, financial, and infrastructural upgrades under Motsepe’s leadership. Since assuming office, he has repeatedly emphasised sustainability, professionalism, and global competitiveness as central goals for African football.
If successfully implemented, the AFCON calendar shift and the introduction of the African Nations League could reshape the rhythm of international football in Africa, balancing tradition with modern demands and positioning the continent more strategically within the global game.
