Summary
- AFCON transitions from two-year to four-year format after 2028 tournament
- African Nations League launches annually starting 2029
- Morocco hosts 2025 edition while Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-host 2027 before schedule change
The Confederation of African Football announced major changes to the continental tournament structure. The Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four-year schedule starting with the 2028 edition. The tournament has run on a two-year cycle since 1968.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe revealed the restructuring plans alongside the introduction of a new competition. The African Nations League will begin in 2029 and take place every year. These changes represent the most significant overhaul of African football's international calendar in decades.
The upcoming tournaments in Morocco (2025) and the East African co-hosted edition (2027) will proceed under the current biennial format. The 2028 AFCON serves as the transition point. After that, the next edition will arrive in 2032, establishing the new four-year pattern.
CAF designed the schedule shift to align with other major international tournaments. The World Cup and UEFA European Championship both follow four-year cycles. Between 2012 and 2013, organizers added a one-year gap to prevent AFCON from overlapping with World Cup years. The new structure addresses this issue permanently.
The decision responds to growing concerns about fixture congestion. Players and clubs face increasing pressure from packed schedules across domestic leagues, continental club competitions, and international tournaments. The extended gap between AFCON editions will reduce the burden on national teams and allow more recovery time for players.
Moving to a four-year cycle also aims to elevate the tournament's status. Less frequent editions could increase anticipation and viewership. The change mirrors the approach used by major global competitions, which maintain prestige through scarcity.
The African Nations League will fill some gaps created by the AFCON schedule change. This annual competition provides regular competitive matches for national teams. The format will offer more opportunities for player development and tactical preparation between AFCON editions.
Morocco prepares to host the next AFCON in 2025. The North African nation has invested in infrastructure and venues for the tournament. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 edition, marking the first time these three East African countries collaborate on such a major event.
The restructuring affects qualification processes, sponsorship arrangements, and broadcasting deals. CAF will need to renegotiate several commercial agreements to reflect the new schedule. National associations must also adjust their planning cycles for international competitions.
Critics of the change worry about reduced revenue opportunities for some federations. The biennial format provided more frequent chances for host countries to benefit economically. Supporters argue that a four-year cycle will attract bigger sponsors and larger broadcast deals due to increased exclusivity.
The transition period between now and 2028 will test how well African football adapts to these changes. National teams will need to balance preparation for the final biennial tournaments while anticipating the new format.
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Where will the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations be held?
Morocco is hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament takes place across multiple cities in the North African country.
Which country has won the most Africa Cup of Nations titles?
Egypt holds the record with seven AFCON titles. Cameroon follows with five championships, while Ghana has won four times.
When does Morocco play in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?
Match schedules for the 2025 AFCON will be released closer to the tournament. Morocco competes as both host nation and participant in the competition.
Which is the strongest national team in Africa?
Current rankings and recent performance suggest Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt rank among the strongest African national teams. Senegal won the most recent AFCON in 2021. Morocco reached the World Cup semifinals in 2022, the best finish by any African nation at a World Cup.
Soufiene El Boub
was born and raised in France, where he also pursued his education. With a lifelong passion for sports and storytelling, Soufiene has become a sports editor, known for his insightful analysis writing. His unique perspective, shaped by his French upbringing, adds a distinctive flair to his work in the world of sports journalism.