The Confederation of African Football has abandoned plans to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, returning the tournament to its established biennial format.

CAF’s Executive Committee unanimously endorsed the change on Thursday, October 29, following a review of the proposal first revealed in December 2025.

Quick facts

• AFCON will again be played every two years.
• The Executive Committee approved the decision unanimously on October 29.
• Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co-host the 2027 finals.
• Tournaments are also planned for 2028, 2031 and 2033.
• There will be no AFCON in 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the proposed Africa Nations League would need several years before it could produce sufficient income to help fund football across the continent.

Motsepe said the Executive Committee’s decision was intended to “advance, protect and promote” African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players contracted by clubs outside the continent.

The 2027 edition will be staged jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It will be followed by competitions in 2028, 2031 and 2033, with the 2030 calendar left clear for the FIFA World Cup.

The decision formally brings an end to CAF’s intended move to a four-year AFCON schedule, which had been announced in December 2025.