Africa Cup of Nations to Switch to Four-Year Cycle from 2028

Africa Cup of Nations to Switch to Four-Year Cycle from 2028

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant change to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) format. Starting from 2028, the tournament will be held every four years, replacing the current biennial schedule. This decision was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe as part of a broader restructuring effort to better align AFCON with the global football calendar .

The change in format is designed to address the challenges posed by the increasingly packed global football calendar. The last 15 years have seen AFCON struggle to find a convenient slot, often resulting in scheduling conflicts with other major tournaments and European club seasons. With the new format, AFCON will take place every four years, starting from 2028 .

To compensate for the reduced frequency of AFCON, CAF will introduce an annual African Nations League competition, similar to the UEFA Nations League. This new tournament is expected to provide more competitive fixtures, generate increased revenue, and offer more resources for African football. The league will be regionalized, with teams divided into zones, and the top teams will compete in the finals .

The prize money for the Cup of Nations in Morocco has been increased, with the winners set to receive $10 million, up from $7 million in the 2024 edition .

The new format is expected to bring several benefits, including:

– Improved synchronization with the global football calendar
– More competitive fixtures and increased revenue through the African Nations League
– Enhanced player welfare and reduced scheduling conflicts
– Increased prestige and value of the AFCON tournament

The 2027 AFCON will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, and the 2028 edition will be open to bidding. The first African Nations League is expected to take place in 2029.