The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will return to a biennial format following a unanimous decision by its Executive Committee.
The decision reverses last year’s announcement that Africa’s flagship competition would move from a two-year cycle to a four-year format.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had indicated, during the CAF Strategy Conference, that the EXCO would reconsider the decision.
The reassessment was largely due to concerns surrounding the proposed Africa Nations League, initially set to replace the current AFCON and provide a major Pan-African competition every two years.
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However, CAF acknowledged that the proposed competition would take several years to generate the substantial financial resources required to support its competitions and make African football more globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.
Motsepe said the decision to restore the two-year AFCON cycle was taken in the best interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players competing for clubs outside the continent.
He also emphasised the importance of AFCON beyond the football itself, highlighting its role in celebrating Africa’s diverse cultures, traditions and customs while bringing people together from across the continent and the diaspora.
The next edition will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda set to jointly host the competition.
CAF has also made it known that subsequent editions will be in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
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The scheduling adjustment means there will be no AFCON in 2030, when the FIFA World Cup will take place. In keeping up with FIFA’s tradition, CAF continental national team competitions will not be during a World Cup year.