CAF President Patrice Motsepe has announced a historic overhaul of African football, confirming that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will switch from a biennial to a four-year cycle starting in 2028.
The shift follows decades of scheduling conflicts with European clubs.
To ensure top-tier football remains a yearly fixture, CAF will launch the African Nations League in 2029.
This annual competition will feature all 54 member nations competing in regional zones each autumn, with a grand final held every November.
AFCON will be held in 2025 (Morocco), 2027 (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), and 2028 before moving to the quadrennial format.
The winner’s purse for AFCON has been increased from $7 million to $10 million.
Motsepe stated the move is necessary to “harmonize” the global football calendar and attract world-class sponsors.
The decision, made in consultation with FIFA, aims to keep Africa’s best players on the continent every year while elevating AFCON to the same prestige and frequency as the European Championships.
