The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will occur every four years starting in 2028, as declared by Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football.
Since 1968, this tournament has been held biennially, with a solitary year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.
However, it is set to transition to a quadrennial format following the 2027 Afcon in East Africa along with a 2028 edition.
Moreover, Motsepe introduced an African Nations League that will be held annually starting in 2029.
«We have the most thrilling new framework for African football,» stated Motsepe.
«I act for the benefit of Africa. It is essential for the global calendar to be much more synchronized and harmonized.»
In the meantime, Caf has raised the prize for Afcon champions from $7m (£5.2m) to $10m (£7.5m).
Motsepe made the unexpected announcement regarding Afcon’s future following a meeting of Caf’s executive committee in Morocco before the inauguration of the 2025 finals in Rabat on Sunday.
The biennial occurrence of Afcon has frequently created challenges for the football schedule, as most of the recent tournaments have taken place during the European club season.
Caf had decided for Afcon to take place during the June-July period starting in 2019 and initiated this new schedule in Egypt that same year.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic and climatic conditions in the West African host nations led to the 2021 and 2023 editions being held in January and February instead.
This year’s Fifa’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup occurred in June and July, compelling Caf to return to mid-season scheduling.
Consequently, this year’s Afcon in Morocco will be held over the Christmas and New Year period for the first time, with the final taking place on 18 January.
The dates for the finals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027 are yet to be disclosed, which will soon be followed by another Afcon in 2028, with the hosts for that iteration still undecided.
After that, the continent’s premier tournament will transition into a quadrennial event occurring in the same year as the European Championships.
Motsepe confirmed that this decision was reached in collaboration with Fifa president Gianni Infantino and the organization’s general secretary Mattias Grafstrom.
African Nations League set for 2029
Motsepe likewise revealed the establishment of the African Nations League, which will be held each year in September, October, and November starting in 2029.
This competition will involve all 54 member associations divided into four zones, featuring six nations in the Northern zone and 16 nations each in the Eastern, Western, and Central & Southern Zones.
Games will occur in September and October, with the champions from each area competing in November to determine an overall winner.
Motsepe described the new competition as «the equivalent of an Afcon annually» and will be conducted alongside Fifa to draw top-level sponsorship.
«Each year in Africa, the finest African players who play in Europe will join us on the continent,» Motsepe emphasized.
«Annually, we will host a contest featuring 54 African nations with all the elite players coming here to participate.
«We are on track to create a world-class competition every year.»
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- Africa Sport
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